Case Study: The 2006 Java Earthquake
When and Where Did It Happen:
The unfortunate, extremely disastrous earthquake occurred in the Java Island. It was more towards off the coast of the Island. The Java Island is the worlds 13th largest Island. This terrible destructive Earthquake occurred on July 17th, 2006 on a Monday, the new start of a week. The time of its occurrence was at a very unwanted time. It happened during the morning when the majority of the people were still indoors, and getting ready or on the way to work; it occurred at 08:19 am (GMT).(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/July_2006_Java_earthquake#Tsunami)
http://geology.com/news/images/indonesia-tsunami-map-2006.gif
What Happened? Cause?
In general, a cause to an Earthquake is because of the movement between two plate tectonics. These movements of two plate tectonics can either be because of a collision between two plates, the separation between two plates, or the sliding past each other of two plates. Relating to this earthquake, it was a typical Tsunami Earthquake. What exactly happened with the plate movements was not able to be discovered, but it was very destructive and it created a large Tsunami. The earthquake caused about a three meter Tsunami. It was measured to be 7.7 on the Richter scale. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/July_2006_Java_earthquake#Tsunami) The depth of this caustic earthquake was about 48.6 miles under the water and 100 miles away from the south coast of Java. (http://www.searo.who.int/EN/Section23/Section1108/Section2077_11877.htm)
Animation of the Tsunami.
http://www.ppk.itb.ac.id/tsunami2006/jabar.gif
Who Was Affected? Why Do People Live In Hazard Prone Areas?
http://www.searo.who.int/EN/Section23/Section1108/Section2077_11877.htm
Most obviously the citizens of Java were affected. There were many villages and other towns that were greatly affected by this Earthquake/Tsunami. Almost up to 55,000 people have been affected and displaced by this Earthquake. The most severely affected area was of West Java in the Ciamis province. (http://www.searo.who.int/EN/Section23/Section1108/Section2077_11877.htm) Since Java is an LEDC, they did not have their immediate back-up to help the suffering people and the ones in need. These people that still live in such areas are due to several of reasons. Some are of the traditional reasons, and some are not. The area they live in are for their comfort. These houses in hazard prone areas may have been passed on to them from their previous generations. The lack of money to live in a less hazard prone area is a factor as well. Some people simply cannot afford living in such secure areas so they have no option.
What Are The Results And Effects Of The Hazard? How Are The Effects In MEDCs And LEDCs Different?
The results and the effects of this natural hazard is brutal. As mentioned above, about fifty five thousand people were displaced due to the earthquake plus the tsunami caused by the earthquake. Within three hours after the Earthquake, there were about three major aftershocks. There were six hundred people killed, 431 people injured and more displaced. There were hotels, houses, and restaurants severely destroyed, basically the main structures in an LEDC. The effects of a hazard are different in both MEDCs and LEDCs. The effect is greater on an LEDC. This is because LEDCs are less developed than MEDCs; this means that LEDCs such as Java Island can do less than what and MEDC can do. MEDCs can provide sudden emergency supplies such as food, water and temporary shelter, whereas and LEDC has very less chances to do so. An MEDC can provide emergency supplies such as medical care and they have more protection to such hazards. As in an LEDC, they depend on MEDCs for these things.
What Is Being Done About It? Possible Prevention Methods? Were/Are There Any Volunteer Programs To Help?
By now, a year later after the Earthquake, this Island is somewhat back to its normal condition now. When the Earthquake had struck, there were emergency cautions taken, but not in the best of its quality. There was food, shelter, protection and many more factors of supply, but these were the main ones. Cash has been provided by the government for help to the needed ones. (http://ochaonline.un.org/cap2005/webpage.asp?Page=1375) Preventing an earthquake has already been defined as impossible, but there definitely are ways to prevent from severe damages. For extra protection and care for the citizens of Java and the entire Indonesia, the government has began using earthquake prevention technologies. Foundation Anchoring is one of the methods the government has used to prevent from future earthquakes. This helps reduce the effect on the building with the ground movement. It is the most important technique. (http://homeownersinsuranceguide.flash.org/reducepotentialdamages.htm) There have been some organizations to help and support the damage caused by this Earthquake. They have not been of much help, the government has spent the most time and money in helping and recovering for this natural hazard that has caused many lives, deaths and displacements of the innocent citizens of Java.
Bibliography:
1.) "Emergency and Humanitarian Action." Central and West Java Earthquake and Tsunami - Situation Report # 3 - 19 July 2006 . 20 July 2006 . World Health Organization. 2 Dec 2007 http://www.searo.who.int/EN/Section23/Section1108/Section2077_11877.htm.
2.) "A homeowner's guide to natural disasters.." Reduce Potential Damages and Premiums. 2 Dec 2007 http://homeownersinsuranceguide.flash.org/reducepotentialdamages.htm.
3.) Indonesia Earthquake Response Plan 2006. 2 June 2006. Humantarian Appeal. 2 Dec 2007 http://ochaonline.un.org/cap2005/webpage.asp?Page=1375.
4.) Carayannis, George P.. "The Tsunami Page of Dr. George p.c.." THE EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMI OF 17 JULY 2006 IN SOUTHERN JAVA, INDONESIA . 2007. 2 Dec 2007 http://www.drgeorgepc.com/Tsunami2006IndoJava.html.
5.) "July 2006 Java earthquake." 12 November 2007. Wikipedia. 2 Dec 2007 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/July_2006_Java_earthquake
6.) "Natural disaster management ." Thursday, 04 January 2007. Global Education. 2 Dec 2007 http://www.globaleducation.edna.edu.au/globaled/go/cache/offonce/pid/308.
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