1. Prior studies had predicted the possibility of a major earthquake in Haiti along the Enriquillo-Plantain Garden fault zone, with a forecast of a potential 7.2 magnitude quake. Local newspapers had also warned of high seismic risk in Port-au-Prince. 2. Aftershocks continued in the weeks following the January 12, 2010 earthquake, and a localized tsunami was reported in the small town of Petit Paradis. 3. Less developed countries are more vulnerable to natural disasters due to lack of infrastructure, building codes, and poverty, which can exacerbate the effects of disasters through poor construction and overcrowding. The Haiti earthquake severely damaged government, school, and administrative

1. Haiti earthquake (2010)Haiti earthquake (2010)
1. Science help us predict hazards.
A 2007 earthquake hazard early study noted that the Enriquillo-Plantain Garden fault zone
could be at the end of its seismic cycle and concluded that a a worst-case forecast would
involve a 7.2 Mw earthquake.
An article published in Haiti's Le Matin newspaper in September 2008 cited comments by
geologist Patrick Charles to the effect that there was a high risk of major seismic activity in
Part-au-Prince.
3. Linkages exist between natural hazards.
On 24th
January USGS reported that there had been 52 aftershocks measuring 4.5 or
greater since 12th
January earthquake.
The Pacific Tsunami Warming Center issued a tsunami warming immediately after the
initial quake, but quick cancelled it. Nearly 2 weeks later it was reported that the beach of
the small fishing town of Petit Paradis was hit by a localised tsunami shortly after the
earthquake, as a result of an underwater slide.
4. Humans can turn disastrous events into catastrophes.
In general, less develop countries are more vulnerable to natural hazards than are
industrialised countries because of lack of understanding, education, infrastructure,
building codes, etc. Poverse also plays a role since it leads to poor building structur,
increased population density, and lack of commumication and infrastructure.
60% of government and administrative buildings, 80% of schools in Part-au-Prince and
60& of schools in South and West Departments were destroyed or damaged.