The earthquake with a magnitude of 6.4 hit the Pakistani province of Balochistan on October 29, 2008. The quake had a depth of 15km and it occured at 30.653N, 67.323E, at 4:09 local time. (28 October, 23:09 UTC) It was followed by a shallower quake which had a depth of 10km, also with a magnitude of 6.4, about 12 hours after the massive shock. The second earthquake occured at 30.546N, 67.447E. 215 people were already pronounced dead, but as more bodies are removed from the rubble, the death toll might rise to 400. More than 200 people were injured, and 120,000 were left homeless.
Most of the casualties resulted from the quake were from two villages on the outskirts of Ziarat town. These areas were badly damaged by landslides caused by the earthquake, as they are situated on steep terrain.The damage? Hundreds of mud houses.
Balochistan chief minister Nawab Aslam Khan Raisani ordered declaration of emergency in the hospitals of affected areas. Dilawar Khan, mayor of Ziarat District, said that his office had asked for support from the local government. Pakistani military helicopters and troops were ordered to assess damage and render help to the victims.
The earthquake was the result of the collision of the Indian plate and the Eurasian plate. The Indian plate had been moving slowly towards the Eurasian plate at a speed of 1.6 inches a year.
In my opinion, damage from the earthquake could be minimized if the residents in Pakistan were more prepared. For example, the schools could practice emergency drills. The houses in Pakistan could also be made out of light materials to minimize the damages caused should the houses collaspe in the earthquake.
Credits:
Done By:
Tay Jing Hui (39)
1 Diligence 2010
St Nicholas Girls' Secondary
