Secondary One
History-Geography Integrated Assignment
Geography Component
Term 1
2010
On 10th May 1997, at 7:57:29GMT, an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.3 occurred in eastern Iran, near the Afghanistan border (33.82N latitude, 55.80E longitude).
History-Geography Integrated Assignment
Geography Component
Term 1
2010
On 10th May 1997, at 7:57:29GMT, an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.3 occurred in eastern Iran, near the Afghanistan border (33.82N latitude, 55.80E longitude).
Iran sits in a very complex tectonic zone. The Arabian plate is located at its south while the Eurasian plate at its north. The Arabian plate is pushing slowly northwards towards Eurasia. Thus, a major part of Iran is being forced into its northeast corner resulting in mountains in the northern and eastern areas being compacted, causing earthquakes.
The disaster resulted in at least 1,567 killed, 2,300 injured, 50,000 homeless, 10,533 houses destroyed and 5,474 houses damaged. An area of 500,000 sq km including the cities of Mashad, Kerman and Yazd could feel the quake. In the Herat area, Afghanistan, there was some damage and 5 people were killed. In addition, 150 small villages were wrecked. There were also numerous aftershocks along the rupture line, causing substantial damages.
The disaster resulted in at least 1,567 killed, 2,300 injured, 50,000 homeless, 10,533 houses destroyed and 5,474 houses damaged. An area of 500,000 sq km including the cities of Mashad, Kerman and Yazd could feel the quake. In the Herat area, Afghanistan, there was some damage and 5 people were killed. In addition, 150 small villages were wrecked. There were also numerous aftershocks along the rupture line, causing substantial damages.Food, clothing and medicine were brought in by the Iranian military aircrafts. 4 cargo aircrafts and 6 helicopters transported more than 80 tons of aid materials to the region. Iran’s Red Cross assisted in the relief efforts. They sent in 9,000 tents, more than 18,000 blankets and large quantities of canned food, rice and dates. Numerous Iranian volunteers arrived in trucks and buses to help in sorting through the debris, looking for casualties and survivors. The Iranian President visited the quake struck areas and promised government assistance to rebuild the area.
Earthquakes cannot be prevented. However, damage to properties and loss of lives can be minimised with adequate advance planning. An emergency response plan should be in place so that relief efforts and aid can be rushed to disaster stricken areas speedily and communication channels established. Meanwhile, the people should be continually educated on safety procedures.
By Tan Ying Mei Audrey (33) 1 Purity
Websites
http://www.ldeo.columbia.edu/~mwest/museum/description.html, extracted 22/02/2010
http://www.ldeo.columbia.edu/~mwest/museum/government.html, extracted 22/02/2010
http://neic.usgs.gov/neis/eq_depot/1997/eq_970510/, extracted 22/02/2010
By Tan Ying Mei Audrey (33) 1 Purity
Websites
http://www.ldeo.columbia.edu/~mwest/museum/description.html, extracted 22/02/2010
http://www.ldeo.columbia.edu/~mwest/museum/government.html, extracted 22/02/2010
http://neic.usgs.gov/neis/eq_depot/1997/eq_970510/, extracted 22/02/2010
