Differences Between the Haitian and Japanese Earthquakes

The Haitian earthquake was a magnitude of 7.0 that occured at a depth of 8.1 miles, whereas the Japanese earthquake was a magnitude of 9.0 that occured at a depth of 19.9 miles below the sea bed. While the seismic activity is comparable, the affect of the earthquakes on Haiti and Japan were significantly different due to the tremors' location. The major difference between the two is the devastating 30-foot tsunami that was triggered by the Japanese earthquake. The seismic activity that caused the Haitian earthquake was centered under a mass of land, so the shift in the sea floor was less dramatic and only a few beaches were hit by moderately-sized waves.

Another major difference between the two is the death toll. Haiti experienced a 7.0-magnitude earthquake with a death toll totaling over 230,000. Japan suffered a 9.0-magnitude quake with a death toll of 14,000 thus far. Although there are still over 10,000 people missing in Japan, the death toll will more than likely not rise above 20,000. The Japanese quake happened in one of the wealthiest countries in the world, whereas the Haitian earthquake happened in one of the poorest. The Japanese have a long history of earthquakes and tsunamis and the government long ago established national guidelines for building construction quality. Japan had the money and power to do so, hence why such a dramatic difference in infrastructure damage in the aftermath of the two earthquakes. In Haiti, sub-standard building quality was a major source of casualty. While the vast majority of deaths in Japan were due to the tsunami. The number of people killed by collapsed buildings in Haiti is over 200,000.

David Meltzer, senior VP of International Services for the American Red Cross, stated, "the difference between the aftermath of earthquakes in Japan and Haiti comes down to those countries’ resources before disaster strikes." Japan's 9.0-magnitude earthquake and resulting tsunami devastated much of the country, but the Japanese Red Cross has 2 million volunteers and tens of thousands of employees. The Haitian Red Cross has fewer than 10,000 volunteers and 100 employees. Although the Japanese Red Cross has not asked for international aid, they will accept offers.

Before the Haitian earthquake on January 12, 2010, more than 70% of Haitians lived on less than $2 a day. 47% of the population were illiterate, 30% had no access to safe drinking water, and 80% had no access to the proper sanitation. Before the quake, the country had 2.5 doctors for every 10,000 Haitians. Following the quake, 1.5 million Haitians were instantly left homeless. Their homes and other buildings crumbled into 706 million cubic feet of rubble.

Sources:
GameAid. (2011). The differences between the aftermath of the earthquakes in Haiti and Japan.
http://gameaid.org/2011/03/17/the-differences-between-the-aftermath-of-the-earthquakes-in-haiti-and-japan/

Gooddell, A. (2011). American Red Cross official compares Japan with Haiti.
The Holland Sentinel.
http://www.hollandsentinel.com/feature/x13277978/American-Red-Cross-official-compares-Japan-with-Haiti

Quentin, W. (2011). A comparison between the Japanese and the Haitian earthquakes.
http://quentinhuon.wordpress.com/2011/03/12/a-comparison-between-the-japanese-and-the-haitian-earthquakes/