Case Study → 2008 Sichuan (Emerging) earthquake (Edexcel A-Level Geography): Revision Notes
Case Study → 2008 Sichan (Emerging) earthquake
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Context | • The Indian plate collided with the Eurasian plate, pressure released along the Longmenshan fault line (which runs below Sichuan) • Magnitude: 7.9 earthquake, tremors lasted for 120 seconds • Epicentre was 80 km NW of Chengdu (provincial capital) • Focal depth: 19 km |
| Vulnerability | • Similar to the Haiti earthquake but with less damage due to: • Earthquake damage concentrated in rural and small towns (less densely populated) • China is wealthier with a growing economy, and had funds for rescue and aid efforts • Strong central government able to respond effectively • Population statistics: • 20% of the population was under 14 • Life expectancy was about 74 • GDP was $4.6 trillion • 13% of the population lived below the poverty line • 93% literacy rate • Approximately 2.5 million licensed doctors |
| Capacity to Cope | • Lack of preparedness • Corruption in government and law enforcement meant some unsafe building practices still existed • Non-government buildings were not necessarily earthquake-proof • No fixed evacuation sports and no regular earthquake drills • Resources to respond were quickly mobilised • Stronger buildings than Haiti, with safer buildings and better infrastructure |
| Response (Short-term) | • Troops parachuted into Wenchuan to assess the situation; hiked on foot as landslides made roads inaccessible
• Production of tents increased; over 3 million people needed housing
• £100 million donated to Red Cross in the following fortnight
• Running camps, ensuring food, medicine, and doctors were available
• 20 helicopters assigned to rescue and relief efforts
• Army troops helped free trapped survivors
• International help from Japan, Russia, and South Korea for rescue efforts |
| Response (Long-term) | • 1 million temporary homes built over three years for displaced people
• Banks wrote off debt owed by survivors without insurance
• Chinese government pledged $10 million towards rebuilding collapsed structures and temporary homes
• China requested help from Japan, Russia, and Korea
• Red Cross donated food and medicine
• After 2 years, 99% of 200,000 farmhouses had been rebuilt
• 97% of planned reconstruction projects (30,000) had started
• Over 200 transport projects were underway |
| Social Impacts | • Schools suffered greatly: school buildings were supposed to meet tougher regulations, but many were not
• 5,000 children died due to school collapses
• Approximately 70,000 people were killed, with around 375,000 injured
• Over 18,000 people were listed as missing
• 100 schools collapsed, and communications (telephones) were cut off |
| Economic Impacts | • Cargo train carrying petrol tanks derailed and caught fire
• Around 400 dams were damaged
• Oil prices dropped due to speculation of reduced Chinese demand
• Total cost: $191 million
• In Shifang, chemical plants collapsed, killing hundreds and releasing toxic ammonia |
| Environmental Impacts | • Landslides: 6 pandas escaped from the Wolong Nature Reserve, 2 were injured, and 1 died
• Rivers were blocked by landslides, forming 34 quake lakes
• There was a risk of flooding when dams collapsed |