No place to go, no place to hide. This is the exact scenario when the Mother Nature rebels against the evil works of human beings in the form of calamities and natural disasters like an earthquake, eruption of volcanoes and supervolcanoes, flashfloods, tsunamis and tornadoes. Taking a chance on surviving on these great catastrophic situations surely rare and lucky for those who become survivors yet its effect is life tormenting and great sorrow for the loss of love ones and properties. Earth and the people of today are facing the great test of faith and strength to exist and live on these threats even if it takes a huge shield and initiatives to handle and manage all these true to life events that no one wants to experience the impact of tragedy. Just like the event on the upper top 10 greatest earthquake of 2010 that affected Haiti, Chile, China, Sumatra of Indonesia, Turkey, Papua of Indonesia, Baja California of Mexico, Taiwan, New Zealand and Japan.
A magnitude of 7.0 earthquake struck Haiti on January 12 which killed approximately 230, 000 people and affected millions of others who survived, among were 300, 000 injured that included 4, 000 people who got amputated on that event. The Haiti Government reported the sad accounts on that devastation that 1,000, 000 were homeless, 30, 000 buildings collapsed and 250, 000 residences damaged or ruined severely. Several places like settlement regions, landmark buildings, presidential Palace, Port-au-Prince Cathedral, the National Assembly building and the main jail were destroyed causing the lives of many people who were there during the earthquake. Haiti people who were mostly affected of such a chaotic earthquake appealed for help, humanitarian help, foods, clothing, medical assistance, support personnel and engineers from different countries all over the world and the positive response made many Haiti men survive after the earthquake attack. Rescue operation were intensified which some Haiti people trapped in the building or other areas within several or few days, week or weeks still cope with their survival and the rescue men found then and bring safety help to assist and cure them. Workers, who volunteer to give their help, experienced the harsh and angry moved of Haiti people who get mad on the delayed aid and resulted to loot or extreme lack of control resulting to violence.
While Chile ravaged when an earthquake hit the place on February 27 which considered as the 5th strongest earthquake occurred long before 1900. It triggered the damaged the land properties and caused the life of 800 people in the region and due to the great impact of such earthquake, there was a raise of tsunami alert for the entire countries worldwide for those which belongs to the Pacific Rim of Fire. This Chilean earthquake happened at the center of Chile in a magnitude 0f 8.8 shaking for 3 min. ranking it 6th biggest earthquake recorded through seismograph. USGS pronounced that this is the strongest destructive (VII) earthquake the cities experienced using the intensity scale of Mercalli while based on Cocepciôn revealed it’s violent on MM VII. The earthquake made the tsunami existed and damaged many coastal places, thus 53 countries were alerted for the preparation of tsunami event. The hit of earthquake caused the blackout affecting almost 93% of the country people for many days in several locations. The official report of the government stated that there were 525 people died on such catastrophic event with 525 missing as well as 9% of the entire population become homeless. March 10, the Swiss Reinsurance Corporation approximated the damaged cost 4 to 7 billion dollars. The economy of Chile lost US$15 to 30 billion.
April 14 of Yushu in Northwestern part of Qinghai Province o of China suffered in a 7.1 magnitude of an earthquake killing 2, 200 persons and leaving homeless people who are 100, 000 in number. Around 90% of the houses in the most hit region ruined and collapsed. Many people suffered in food shortage and traumatized which provision of humanitarian aid and shelters become of the biggest priority o aid the chaotic situation of the people.
The great earthquake in Sumatra, Indonesia with a 7.7 magnitude end the life of 435 people in October 25 and left more than 110 missing. It happened in on the same fault of 2004 Ocean earthquake in India. It further resulted to the tsunami with 9 feet tall or 3 meters sweeping 1800 feet or 600 meters inland that struck Mentawi Islands. The ill effect of the earthquake was followed up with rescue operations and relief goods to help the affected people of Sumatra. Rescuers and other volunteer groups only find it hard to make quick access in remote places due to bad weather condition.
In Turkey, the earthquake magnitude of 6.1 struck in eastern portion of Elazığ city with 58 death toll and 100 people injured after the event is over on March 8, the day the quake shoot the place. The bad event happened 1 week after the detail report of Turkish Chamber from Civil Engineers stating that there is no enough building projects and Istanbul might experience an earthquake that can kill 10, 000 persons for the next 30 years. Yet the latest earthquake existed in East Anatolian Fault, a main form fault representing the limit between the Arabian Plate and the Anatolian Plate. The records on such terrifying temblor showed that most casualties came from 3 villages which are Kayalı,Yukarı Kanatlı and Okçular. Most villagers then, went outside the buidings and just lighted fires to keep them warm in the streets. The 4 government ministers went to visit the place while the Disaster management Centre of Turkey and Red Crescent give some tents and blankets to the victims. Ehud Barak, Defense Minister of Turkey ordered for the whole aid proposal while Yousaf Raza Gillani Prime Minister, gave his condolence message.
It is not only the place in Turkey that endured the harsh experience of Earthquake, also in Papua which is a place in Indonesia hit with a 7.0 magnitude of temblor on 16th of June. This place in Indonesia has a part that consisted of complex tectonics. The earthquake destroyed villages such as Randawaya, Aiyari, Karowaiti, Hamtimoi, Waridoni, Waita, Wabudayar, Larelahiti and Tare, which are nine in total with 17 persons who lost their lives, over 2, 500 houses were ruined with great felt of intensities above VII using Mercalli Scale on Serui of Island of Yapen and on the nearby coast and VI on the Biak Island. Several buidings were severely destroyed in Island of Yapen.
Furthermore, earthquake also terrified the Baja California in Mexico when a magnitude of 7.2 quake attacks on April 4 killing only 2 persons but the damaged is hard to accept as it even reached its tremors in Nevada. This Easter earthquake began in 16 mi of south Guadalupe Victoria in Baja California with a depth of 6.2 mi. It happened in the Pacific daylight time 3:40:41p.m. on Eastern Sunday, 4th of April lasting for a minute and half. This is the greatest earthquake in Alberto Oviedo Mota ejido, in the Mexicali municipality using Mercalli scale intensity VIII that is severe. Guadalupe Victoria and Mexicali, Calexicoit is VII which is Very Strong, however in Ensenada as well as Tijuana experienced VI recognized as Strong. Great damages of earthquake occurred in Calexico and Mexical twin cities on the border of Mexico –United States. Four people died and there were 100 injured. The quake experienced in Western United States and in most zones in Southern as well as Northwest Mexico and it was the strongest earthquake rock the Southern California. Each earthquake has similar magnitude in a largest part of North America. It noted that the quake started in Laguna Salada Fault 37 mi to 50 mi in length straddling the Californian Baja border. Actually, such fault ruptured with 7.2 magnitude of earthquake last February 1892 and it becomes no wonder when it triggered another earthquake again in 2010 destroying lives and properties of the people.
In addition to 2010 occurrence of great earthquake is the 6.4 magnitude of earthquake hit the southern city of Kaohsiung, Taiwan on March 4, which results to 90 injured people with lesser damage. The temblor occurred 25 mi starting from the T'ai-tung, Taiwan. No injured people reported but the buildings swayed off on a great distance of far north in Taipei Capital causing some power loss and other damages. TVBS reported that island rail service suspended on high speed level. It measures 5.0 based on Richter Scale off Hualien County of Taiwan on 12th of October.
Much to the fear of people in New Zealand when, a magnitude of 7.1 rocked Christchurch, the 2nd largest city with 2 injured persons and many great damages resulted to collapsed of buildings and properties on the 4th day of September. One person died in the temblor attack and there the mass fatalities are become of great problem due to unfinished houses or lack of strong foundation of its construction. The epicentre of the quake is 25 mi on west Christchurch close to the town of Darfield. Shallow hypocenter found in 10 km deep. The approximate5.8 magnitude became the result of aftershock which felt for 5 sec in the foremost quake, reported as strong aftershocks. The first quake lasts for 40 seconds and it crossed the South Island as well as the North Island in a distance of New Plymouth. It started from the epicentre on land distance from a coast and there was no tsunami that arises.
There was a fast activation of the National Crisis Management Centre in the cellar of Wellington Beehive. Also, Civil Defence announced the Christchurch state of emergency, the Waimakariri District,and the Selwyn District however, Timaru, Waimakariri, and the Selwyn District, initiated their centers for emergency operation. At first, there was a curfew made for several portions of the Central City of Christchurch starting from 7:00 in the evening to 7:00 in the morning in connection to the earthquake.The Army in New Zealand deployed in the affected parts of Canterbury. The aftershocks go on until 2011 triggering some obvious damages on the place. The strongest aftershock happened in the 22nd of February 2011 that experienced in approximate 6.3 magnitude and people from Invercargill to Wellington felt its occurrence. There were 181 persons contributed to the death toll. The cost of damages caused of the earthquake is between $2.75 - $3.5 billion NZD.
On the other hand, the Ryukyu Islands, Okinawa of the southern parts of Japan felt a magnitude of 7.0 on February 27 and a great Pacific tsunami came immediately after the hit of an earthquake which residents on the place panic to go in the community centers after the strong quake in offshore caused the tsunami alert yet the 7.4 temblor magnitude only made some mild large waves in Tokyo.
No reports of urgent damages from the earthquake that struck on its local time at around 2:20 in the morning about 130 km off the Chichi Island in the southern coast of Pacific Ocean which the earthquake was just felt far away from the Tokyo. Kenji Komura, the principal of High School in Chichi Island stated that there was a shook quite violent and everyone was scared.
The Meteorogical Agency of Japan put an alert for a tsunami that can reach to 2 m in Chichi as well as on its close islands while there was also a warning of mild tsunami on southern coast of Japan’s mainland. Yet it was soon lifted when there was only 30 cm minor wave observed in the shorelines of Chichi after 40 min of earthquake. Yet, prior on the lift of the tsunami alert, score of people from Chichi, Tokyo and close to Haha Islands flocked in the community centers as well as on the school buidings. Tomoo Tamawaki, stated that for go, tsunami alert was announced to protect the people from the harmful tsunami.
Although Japan is one of the world’s most prone countries in earthquake, still many Japanese people are afraid of the quake frequent attacks that caused the significant damages and death of some people. Of course, it’s not only Japanese people who are fearful of life-threatening earthquake but many individuals around the world surely have great fears knowing the capability of earthquake along with other disasters that can put an end to human’s life and ruin the earth.
A magnitude of 7.0 earthquake struck Haiti on January 12 which killed approximately 230, 000 people and affected millions of others who survived, among were 300, 000 injured that included 4, 000 people who got amputated on that event. The Haiti Government reported the sad accounts on that devastation that 1,000, 000 were homeless, 30, 000 buildings collapsed and 250, 000 residences damaged or ruined severely. Several places like settlement regions, landmark buildings, presidential Palace, Port-au-Prince Cathedral, the National Assembly building and the main jail were destroyed causing the lives of many people who were there during the earthquake. Haiti people who were mostly affected of such a chaotic earthquake appealed for help, humanitarian help, foods, clothing, medical assistance, support personnel and engineers from different countries all over the world and the positive response made many Haiti men survive after the earthquake attack. Rescue operation were intensified which some Haiti people trapped in the building or other areas within several or few days, week or weeks still cope with their survival and the rescue men found then and bring safety help to assist and cure them. Workers, who volunteer to give their help, experienced the harsh and angry moved of Haiti people who get mad on the delayed aid and resulted to loot or extreme lack of control resulting to violence.
While Chile ravaged when an earthquake hit the place on February 27 which considered as the 5th strongest earthquake occurred long before 1900. It triggered the damaged the land properties and caused the life of 800 people in the region and due to the great impact of such earthquake, there was a raise of tsunami alert for the entire countries worldwide for those which belongs to the Pacific Rim of Fire. This Chilean earthquake happened at the center of Chile in a magnitude 0f 8.8 shaking for 3 min. ranking it 6th biggest earthquake recorded through seismograph. USGS pronounced that this is the strongest destructive (VII) earthquake the cities experienced using the intensity scale of Mercalli while based on Cocepciôn revealed it’s violent on MM VII. The earthquake made the tsunami existed and damaged many coastal places, thus 53 countries were alerted for the preparation of tsunami event. The hit of earthquake caused the blackout affecting almost 93% of the country people for many days in several locations. The official report of the government stated that there were 525 people died on such catastrophic event with 525 missing as well as 9% of the entire population become homeless. March 10, the Swiss Reinsurance Corporation approximated the damaged cost 4 to 7 billion dollars. The economy of Chile lost US$15 to 30 billion.
April 14 of Yushu in Northwestern part of Qinghai Province o of China suffered in a 7.1 magnitude of an earthquake killing 2, 200 persons and leaving homeless people who are 100, 000 in number. Around 90% of the houses in the most hit region ruined and collapsed. Many people suffered in food shortage and traumatized which provision of humanitarian aid and shelters become of the biggest priority o aid the chaotic situation of the people.
The great earthquake in Sumatra, Indonesia with a 7.7 magnitude end the life of 435 people in October 25 and left more than 110 missing. It happened in on the same fault of 2004 Ocean earthquake in India. It further resulted to the tsunami with 9 feet tall or 3 meters sweeping 1800 feet or 600 meters inland that struck Mentawi Islands. The ill effect of the earthquake was followed up with rescue operations and relief goods to help the affected people of Sumatra. Rescuers and other volunteer groups only find it hard to make quick access in remote places due to bad weather condition.
In Turkey, the earthquake magnitude of 6.1 struck in eastern portion of Elazığ city with 58 death toll and 100 people injured after the event is over on March 8, the day the quake shoot the place. The bad event happened 1 week after the detail report of Turkish Chamber from Civil Engineers stating that there is no enough building projects and Istanbul might experience an earthquake that can kill 10, 000 persons for the next 30 years. Yet the latest earthquake existed in East Anatolian Fault, a main form fault representing the limit between the Arabian Plate and the Anatolian Plate. The records on such terrifying temblor showed that most casualties came from 3 villages which are Kayalı,Yukarı Kanatlı and Okçular. Most villagers then, went outside the buidings and just lighted fires to keep them warm in the streets. The 4 government ministers went to visit the place while the Disaster management Centre of Turkey and Red Crescent give some tents and blankets to the victims. Ehud Barak, Defense Minister of Turkey ordered for the whole aid proposal while Yousaf Raza Gillani Prime Minister, gave his condolence message.
It is not only the place in Turkey that endured the harsh experience of Earthquake, also in Papua which is a place in Indonesia hit with a 7.0 magnitude of temblor on 16th of June. This place in Indonesia has a part that consisted of complex tectonics. The earthquake destroyed villages such as Randawaya, Aiyari, Karowaiti, Hamtimoi, Waridoni, Waita, Wabudayar, Larelahiti and Tare, which are nine in total with 17 persons who lost their lives, over 2, 500 houses were ruined with great felt of intensities above VII using Mercalli Scale on Serui of Island of Yapen and on the nearby coast and VI on the Biak Island. Several buidings were severely destroyed in Island of Yapen.
Furthermore, earthquake also terrified the Baja California in Mexico when a magnitude of 7.2 quake attacks on April 4 killing only 2 persons but the damaged is hard to accept as it even reached its tremors in Nevada. This Easter earthquake began in 16 mi of south Guadalupe Victoria in Baja California with a depth of 6.2 mi. It happened in the Pacific daylight time 3:40:41p.m. on Eastern Sunday, 4th of April lasting for a minute and half. This is the greatest earthquake in Alberto Oviedo Mota ejido, in the Mexicali municipality using Mercalli scale intensity VIII that is severe. Guadalupe Victoria and Mexicali, Calexicoit is VII which is Very Strong, however in Ensenada as well as Tijuana experienced VI recognized as Strong. Great damages of earthquake occurred in Calexico and Mexical twin cities on the border of Mexico –United States. Four people died and there were 100 injured. The quake experienced in Western United States and in most zones in Southern as well as Northwest Mexico and it was the strongest earthquake rock the Southern California. Each earthquake has similar magnitude in a largest part of North America. It noted that the quake started in Laguna Salada Fault 37 mi to 50 mi in length straddling the Californian Baja border. Actually, such fault ruptured with 7.2 magnitude of earthquake last February 1892 and it becomes no wonder when it triggered another earthquake again in 2010 destroying lives and properties of the people.
In addition to 2010 occurrence of great earthquake is the 6.4 magnitude of earthquake hit the southern city of Kaohsiung, Taiwan on March 4, which results to 90 injured people with lesser damage. The temblor occurred 25 mi starting from the T'ai-tung, Taiwan. No injured people reported but the buildings swayed off on a great distance of far north in Taipei Capital causing some power loss and other damages. TVBS reported that island rail service suspended on high speed level. It measures 5.0 based on Richter Scale off Hualien County of Taiwan on 12th of October.
Much to the fear of people in New Zealand when, a magnitude of 7.1 rocked Christchurch, the 2nd largest city with 2 injured persons and many great damages resulted to collapsed of buildings and properties on the 4th day of September. One person died in the temblor attack and there the mass fatalities are become of great problem due to unfinished houses or lack of strong foundation of its construction. The epicentre of the quake is 25 mi on west Christchurch close to the town of Darfield. Shallow hypocenter found in 10 km deep. The approximate5.8 magnitude became the result of aftershock which felt for 5 sec in the foremost quake, reported as strong aftershocks. The first quake lasts for 40 seconds and it crossed the South Island as well as the North Island in a distance of New Plymouth. It started from the epicentre on land distance from a coast and there was no tsunami that arises.
There was a fast activation of the National Crisis Management Centre in the cellar of Wellington Beehive. Also, Civil Defence announced the Christchurch state of emergency, the Waimakariri District,and the Selwyn District however, Timaru, Waimakariri, and the Selwyn District, initiated their centers for emergency operation. At first, there was a curfew made for several portions of the Central City of Christchurch starting from 7:00 in the evening to 7:00 in the morning in connection to the earthquake.The Army in New Zealand deployed in the affected parts of Canterbury. The aftershocks go on until 2011 triggering some obvious damages on the place. The strongest aftershock happened in the 22nd of February 2011 that experienced in approximate 6.3 magnitude and people from Invercargill to Wellington felt its occurrence. There were 181 persons contributed to the death toll. The cost of damages caused of the earthquake is between $2.75 - $3.5 billion NZD.
On the other hand, the Ryukyu Islands, Okinawa of the southern parts of Japan felt a magnitude of 7.0 on February 27 and a great Pacific tsunami came immediately after the hit of an earthquake which residents on the place panic to go in the community centers after the strong quake in offshore caused the tsunami alert yet the 7.4 temblor magnitude only made some mild large waves in Tokyo.
No reports of urgent damages from the earthquake that struck on its local time at around 2:20 in the morning about 130 km off the Chichi Island in the southern coast of Pacific Ocean which the earthquake was just felt far away from the Tokyo. Kenji Komura, the principal of High School in Chichi Island stated that there was a shook quite violent and everyone was scared.
The Meteorogical Agency of Japan put an alert for a tsunami that can reach to 2 m in Chichi as well as on its close islands while there was also a warning of mild tsunami on southern coast of Japan’s mainland. Yet it was soon lifted when there was only 30 cm minor wave observed in the shorelines of Chichi after 40 min of earthquake. Yet, prior on the lift of the tsunami alert, score of people from Chichi, Tokyo and close to Haha Islands flocked in the community centers as well as on the school buidings. Tomoo Tamawaki, stated that for go, tsunami alert was announced to protect the people from the harmful tsunami.
Although Japan is one of the world’s most prone countries in earthquake, still many Japanese people are afraid of the quake frequent attacks that caused the significant damages and death of some people. Of course, it’s not only Japanese people who are fearful of life-threatening earthquake but many individuals around the world surely have great fears knowing the capability of earthquake along with other disasters that can put an end to human’s life and ruin the earth.
