Observations from the EERI Team
The SVA first organized after the September 2010 earthquake. Nearly 2,500 students and community members volunteered to help remove liquefaction after that event. Looking back, Sam realized that this was an important “dry run” for the massive spontaneous volunteer operation that he and a core group of other dedicated individuals would coordinate in February and […]
Observations on Social Media and Christchurch Emergency Communication from the EERI Team
Thoughtful observers who also endured that harrowing event found that local community members were turning to online social networks to organize volunteer efforts, post critical information, and communicate about the aftermath of the earthquake. The quick study from a few public information officers working for the CCC served as the impetus for the social media […]
Calling on Social Scientists to Inform Recovery Decisions
David shared the questions that are being asked of social scientists. Relevant observations and lessons learned are invited from the international research community regarding: Internal migration is the biggest ever in New Zealand since the first settlers arrived. Who and why did residents leave Christchurch after the February 22nd earthquake? How many migrants will return? […]
Observations from the EERI/ISSS Social Science and Government Inspection Team
Figure 1. US EERI Social Science Team in Rikuzen Takada, June 21, 2011 (Photo by H. Chen). Team Members: Prof. Stephanie Chang, University of British Columbia, UBC Centre for Human Settlements (Team Lead) Prof. Daniel Aldrich, Purdue University Ms. Rochelle Brittingham, Graduate Research Assistant, University of Delaware, Disaster Research Center Mr. Richard Eisner, […]
Nuclear Plants
From: “Once-a-century earthquake rattles East Coast”, Reuters, Lily Kuo and Malathi Nayak Nuclear safety fears grew when one of four emergency diesel generators at the North Anna nuclear power plant in Virginia stopped working due to the quake. But the plant’s safety systems remained powered by three operating generators, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission said. The plant was […]
Preliminary Field Report by Matt Eatherton
Notes on people’s responses and reactions The earthquake was on Tuesday, by Wednesday, the Louisa County offices had about 200 reports of damaged buildings. The Louisa EOC and building inspection department inspected many of those buildings on Wednesday. A hotline was set up (managed by the Louisa County EOC) on Tuesday evening and was advertised […]
Report on Impacts from CEDIM Forensic Earthquake Analysis Group
Read the Report: Comparing the current impact of the Van Earthquake to past earthquakes in Eastern Turkey (2.30 MB PDF)
Resilience in Nepal – Planning and Outcomes
At the Third Session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (Geneva, 2011), Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon, remarked that “by our actions, we can either compound disasters or diminish them.” (c) UPI/Landov/Barcroft Media Communities have the power to keep natural hazards from turning into disasters. Resilient communities can bounce back from […]
Emergency Response in Rural Areas
One week has gone by after the Nepal Earthquake that struck on April 25, 2015. Aid was rushed to Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. As of today, May 2, 2015 the electricity in Kathmandu has been turned back on, and while it is not constant, this has brought relief for many of the residents. However, […]
Immediate Aid and Long-Term Recovery Efforts
In the wake of the recent Nepal earthquake, the distribution of immediate aid is at the forefront of response efforts made by the Nepali government, the United Nations, and other local and foreign aid organizations. However, long term recovery efforts are just as important in order to prevent a similar state of affairs in the […]