HAITI EARTHQUAKE MITIGATION
The 2010
Haiti earthquake caused a great deal of damage to Haiti's structures as
thousands of buildings were not strong enough for an earthquake as thousands of
them plummeted to the floor. As Haiti is known for being an earthquake area as
it lies on a plate boundary, people should structure buildings so that they
become more resistant to earthquakes. This can be done for any earthquake prone
areas so that there is a decrease of damage done to the structures. To keep the
buildings from plummeting to the floor, installing steel to the building
structure will decrease the chance of it from falling down and as a result to the structure falling down it
will decrease people’s chances of becoming homeless or having things fall down
onto them. Also, to make a more secure structure, installing flexible joints
could decrease the chance of the structure falling down as it has more
flexibility and might withstand an earthquake. In general, people in earthquake
prone areas should be well educated in what to do in an earthquake so there is
less risk of people getting hurt and reduce the number of deaths.
In homes, people should keep a battery powered torch and radio near them so in the event of an earthquake they can see where they are going and what is around them and a radio so they can hear if there is any information. Also, before an earthquake happens it is a good idea to check for hazards in your home which could fall on to you. To mitigate the harmful effects of an earthquake you could also keep a list of emergency number and maintain a supply of food and water for at least three days. Since the Haiti earthquake, ten seismic stations have been installed which is nine more than before the event of the earthquake. Haiti also has it country’s first new seismic hazard map and is now training its first two local seismologist. |