Author Question: On January 12, 2010, the country of Haiti was rocked by a violent M 7.0 earthquake. This quake ... (Read 57 times)

WWatsford · **on:** Jul 16, 2018

On January 12, 2010, the country of Haiti was rocked by a violent M 7.0 earthquake. This quake caused widespread devastation and resulted in the death of over 300,000 people.

A month later, an M 8.8 earthquake rocked central Chile, where over 80 percent of the country's population was concentrated. However, only 525 people were reported dead for this disaster. Why would Chile's earthquake, with a higher magnitude, have a lower death toll than Haiti's earthquake?
What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Which seismic waves will cause the greatest damage to buildings?

What will be an ideal response?

Jossy · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 16, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Answer: Chile has strict earthquake engineering codes. Haiti has a very poor economy and cannot afford to build earthquake-resistant structures.

Answer to Question 2

Answer: Surface waves (or L and R waves)