where is L’Aquila and what is its population
- central Italy, north east of rome and north of naples
- 70,000 people
why is the area prone to earthquakes
a major fault line that runs north-south along the Apennine mountain range and and east-west fault line across the centre of Italy
when and what time did the L’Aquila earthquake occur
6th April 2009
3:32am
what did the earthquake measure on the Richter scale
6.3
how long did the earthquake last
a few seconds but felt throughout central italy
how deep was the focus and where was the epicentre
- depth of 5 miles
- epicentre was close to L’Aquila
what caused the earthquake
movement along the north-south fault line
what did some of the aftershocks in the following days measure on the richter scale
5
what were the economic impacts of the L’Aquila earthquake
- estimated it cost Italy $15 billion
- 1000s of buildings (modern and old) were damaged of destroyed - part of city hospital, dorm of the university and L’Aquila university
- a bridge near the town of Fossa collapsed and a water pipe broke near the town of Paganica
- fires in some collapsed buildings caused more damage
what were the social impacts of the L’Aquila earthquake
- around 300 deaths, mainly caused by collapsed buildings
- 1500 people injured
- 70,000 people made homeless
- aftershocks hampered rescue efforts and caused more damage
- 1000s people, many young, had to move away from area to other parts to find jobs after buildings were destroyed
what were the environmental impacts
- area of about 1000 km2 was affected by surface ruptures (cracks in ground), rockfalls, landslides
- broken water pipe near the town of Paganica also caused a landslide
- wildlife habitats were affected by the earthquake
what were the short term responses following the earthquake
- camps were set up for homeless people with water, food and medical care
- ambulances, fire engines and the army were sent in to rescue survivors
- cranes and diggers were used to remove rubble
- international teams with rescue dogs were sent in to look for survivors
- 12,000 rescue and support workers were brought in to help with the response
what were the long term responses following the earthquake
- money was provided by the government to pay rent. Mortgage payments, and gas and electricty bills were suspended
- Italian Prime Minister promised to build a new town to replace L’Aquila as the capital of the area
- by end of 2009, 4500 new buildings had been put up to house 12,000 people were made homeless
what were the ‘building technique’ management schemes that were put in place prior to the earthquake
-due to risks, there were strict building regulations to ensure newer buildings were designed and built to withstand earthquakes
BUT some of the newer buildings that should’ve met regulations were poorly built, so were severely damaged or destroyed
what was the ‘prediction’ management scheme put in place prior to the earthquake
seismologists were monitoring area prior to event - some people felt that the earthquake hazard could’ve been managed better - in 2009, there were complaints that 6 seismologists didn’t predict the earthquake - blamed scientists for number of people killed
what was the ‘planning’ management scheme in place prior to the earthquake
italy has a Civil Protection Department that trains volunteers to help with things like rescue operations.
