Haiti's 2008 earthquake resulted in over 230,000 deaths whereas Japan's 2011 earthquake resulted in 20,000 deaths. What explains the differences in loss of life?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The differences in loss of life between Haiti's 2008 earthquake and Japan's 2011 earthquake can be attributed to the effectiveness of search and rescue operations and local building standards. Haiti's infrastructure and buildings were not as well-prepared to withstand earthquakes as those in Japan, leading to more significant destruction and difficulty in rescue operations. Japan, known for its stringent building codes designed to mitigate earthquake damage, and efficient disaster response, experienced fewer casualties despite the high magnitude of the earthquake.

Haiti's 2008 Earthquake Resulted in Over 230,000 Deaths Whereas Japan's