A large earthquake in rural China killed 250,000 people, while an earthquake of similar size in California killed only 65. These comparative figures demonstrate that natural disasters can have greater or lesser effects on human life depending on __________.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The social conditions that determine who has access to houses with appropriate safety features can affect the mortality rates of a natural disaster. In the case of the earthquake in China, it is likely that many people were living in vulnerable housing due to poor infrastructure and poverty, while in California, more people have access to safer housing and infrastructure.

A Large Earthquake in Rural China Killed 250,000 People, While