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As an example we can look at the 2010 Haitian earthquake and the Japanese Tohoku earthquake from 2011. The Japanese earthquake resulted in a much higher Richter scale reading compared to the Haitian earthquake, however, it had fewer casualties. This was partly due to good disaster-management and earthquake-resistant infrastructure. Furthermore, Japan being a HIC (high income country) meant they were able to manage and distribute medical care, food, shelter, etc and organize rescue efforts very soon after the disaster.

Haiti is a LIC (Low income country), this meant they were unable to provide survivors with adequate or timely assistance, and rescue efforts, post-disaster management or relief were also lacking and were heavily sourced from charitable countries and organisations which of course, took time to organize. This along with vulnerable infrastructure caused casualties in Haiti to be magnitudes higher than in Japan (something on the order of 300k vs 15k).

Whilst the two earthquakes aren't exactly similar, this should shed some light on the importance of disaster mitigation and management strategies on a national scale. In addition to the above, it is important to realise that while the Richter scale (or whatever scale used) does provide a magnitude for the strength of the earthquake, how this translates into human casualties and destruction of property also depends on factors such as the quake's proximity to faults, the depth of quake, density of the local populations, presence and quality of earthquake resistant structures, the efficiency of rescue operations and disaster relief, infrastructure in place to deal with evacuations, rescues, medical aid, etc.

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Q: Why are some earthquakes more disastrous than others?
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Related questions

Why do some areas of the world have more earthquakes than others?

they have more earthquakes in other people depending on the faults and plates around the world.


Why do some ares have more earthquakes and volcanoes than others?

Because in some places there are tectonic plates that are colliding where others have little activity.


Why do some earthquakes affect countries more severely than others?

Because there are tectonic plates in our world and if you live on the boundaries of Australia you will. Have more earthquakes because the plates will rub and cause the earth to shake


Why earthquakes cause more damage than others?

The biggest earthquakes do not always cause the most damage if they strike unpopulated areas, or areas where the local infrastructure was built to withstand severe earthquakes. Also some big earthquakes may be high in intensity, but very short in duration, causing less damage.


Do earthquakes occur under the sea?

Yes, it is quite common for earthquakes to occur under the sea. But they can also occur under the land. Any location on the Earth's surface (or close to the Earth's surface, to be more accurate) can have an earthquake, although of course, some locations are more prone to earthquakes than others.


Do some areas of the world have more earthquakes than others?

Yes, they do. This is because in the locality of a tectonic boundary or fault (though less on a Constructive margin), friction and build up of tension cause sudden shock-waves to be released as an earthquake. Therefore, those living near a fault or plate margin are more likely to experience earthquakes than those who live farther from them.


Why are earthquakes more likely to happen in some parts of the world than others?

It has to do with stress in the earth's crust. There are more earthquakes where there is more stress. Most of this occurs at the boundaries between the tectonic plates as they slowly grind against each other.


What type of countries has earthquakes?

Everywhere on the planet suffers from earthquakes at some time. However there ares some places where earthquakes, particularly bad earthquakes, are more frequent. These places are located at continental margins.


Do the Andes have more earthquakes or tornadoes?

The Andes are more prone to earthquakes as they are located at, and were in fact formed by, a subduction zone just to the west of South America. Tornadoes are more common in the interior and eastern parts of South America.


Why is the world affected mostly by earthquakes?

There are so many plates on our earth and if two of those plates spread apart, collide, of sink under one another, that causes an earthquake. Some countries are effected more by earthquakes than others.


How do use disastrous in a sentence?

Disastrous means causing great distress or injury. Some synonyms for disastrous include calamitous, ruinous, and catastrophic. "Spilling wine all over my computer lead to disastrous results."Disastrous means that it works out horribly, it goes all wrong. Here are some sentences.That plan was disastrous!The disastrous storm barreled over the island.His disastrous plan backfired on him.


How do you use disastrous in a sentence?

Disastrous means causing great distress or injury. Some synonyms for disastrous include calamitous, ruinous, and catastrophic. "Spilling wine all over my computer lead to disastrous results."Disastrous means that it works out horribly, it goes all wrong. Here are some sentences.That plan was disastrous!The disastrous storm barreled over the island.His disastrous plan backfired on him.