Earthquakes in Central America
By: Kate Godfrey
Problem: Earthquakes
After the 1998 earthquake Central America has been having lots of earthquakes starting with the 2010 earthquake in Haiti. The earthquake destroyed thousands of homes and injured hundreds. This earthquake was and will be one of the most destructive central America has ever seen.
If houses aren't
sturdy, in the middle of the earthquake they can shake so hard the crumble and collapse.
Most earthquakes
in Haiti happen right on the coast and right by the Capitol, Port au Prince.
Solution
You can't prevent earthquakes but you can prevent destruction. Retrofitting is when you make your old home sturdier without tearing it down. When you get your house retrofitted it will decrease the chance of it being destroyed. Another way is by studying earthquakes to find out when the next possible one is. When you find out when the next one is you can warn people how to prepare for them.
Retrofitting
This is what could happen if your house hasn't been retrofitted. It slides right off the foundation or it rocks till the walls crumble.
Studying
A seismogram measures seismic waves. scientists can study these waves to try to figure out when the next earthquake will happen.
San Salvador
This 7.4 earthquake buried a truck in concrete from fallen buildings.
Nicaragua
People are staying in a shelter after a 7.4 earthquake destroys hundreds of homes leaving thousands homeless.
Guatemala
This family walks through the rubble ,after a devastating earthquake, looking for a place to live.
Sources:
Google (I searched many different things)
Google images (I searched many different things)