The 2005 Kashmir earthquake, with a magnitude of 7.6, severely impacted northern Pakistan and parts of India, resulting in over 86,000 fatalities and millions left homeless, particularly affecting the socio-economic landscape. The tectonic event was caused by the collision of the Indian and Eurasian plates, leading to widespread destruction of infrastructure, challenges in agriculture, and significant loss of life. Immediate responses included local rescue efforts and international aid, while long-term recovery involves rebuilding housing and essential services to prevent future disasters.

1. Tectonic event / location: Kashmir Earthquake, Pakistan, 10/8/05
Level of development Associated hazards
Landslide
Pakistan – LEDC Rockfall
India - NIC Seiches
(A seiche is the sloshing of a closed body of water
from earthquake shaking, e.g lake, swimming pool)
Map of the affected area
Key information and Socio-economic
statistics profile
Location: Himalayan region LEDC
of northern Pakistan and Terrain: Mountains
Kashmir. Median Female Age: 22 years
Magnitude : 7.6 Median Male Age: 21.9 years
Birth rate: 24.3/1000
4 million people left Death Rate: 6.8/1000
homeless Net Migration: -2/1000
Infant Mortality: 61.27/1000
In Pakistan: Life expectancy: 66.35 years
•86,000 +people killed Literacy Rate: 54.9%
•69,000+ people injured Independence: 1947
•32,335 buildings collapsed
In India:
•1,350+ people killed
•6,266+ people injured
Diagram of cause of the event (include Explanation of the cause
place specific detail e.g. name of plates) The result of Indianan plate and
Large horizontal displacement of gradually moving into the Eurasian
up to 10m plate. Its geological movement was
north at a speed of five centimetres
a year - a millimetre per week. It is
two continental plates colliding so it
is a Continental Convergent
boundary and is how the Himalayan
mountains were born.

2. Impact on the landscape
There were large cracks in the ground
surface.
Why do people live in this area?
The levels of development in Kashmir are low, many people live in the area because it is suitable for
agriculture. Given its temperate climate, it is suited for crops like asparagus, artichoke, seakale,
broad beans, scarletrunners, beetroot, cauliflower and fruit trees.
Summarise the impacts of the event.
Social
•Thousands of houses were destroyed.
•3.2 million people became homeless.
Economic
•Hospitals, mosques, markets, power lines, and government offices were severely affected.
•Landslides damaged roads and bridges – prevented aid.
Environmental/Physical
•Liquefaction and sandblows occurred in the western part of Vale of Kashmir and near Jammu.
•Seiches were observed in Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, India and many places in
Bangladesh.
•Large amounts of farmland had been destroyed – making agriculture hard!(economic)
Political
•India helped provide aid for Pakistan despite the clashes over who owns Kashmir.
•The border between India and Pakistan was opened in a few places to allow food and emergency
supplies to cross
How did the impacts vary over time? E.g. short term and long term impacts.
•One year on, about 400,000 people face a second winter without permanent shelter in the mountains
and valleys of northern Pakistan people will still have to rebuild their homes!
•Despite this damage shown on the left. A year later
Balakot remains an economic centre, markets are
functioning and people are able to buy food and building
materials as crops and animals survived the earthquake.
•Many roads have had to be diverted due to landslides
•Fewer schools have been built so less people can have
access to education.
•Diseases (mainly diarrhoea) spread from contaminated
water supplies, and also respiratory infections like
pneumonia. People also died of cold in the harsh winter,
because they only had thin tents to live in.

3. What are the different ways people have attempted to cope...?
Before the event During the event After the event
•They did not do anything •As Saturday is a normal school •It took days before the army
before the event despite day in the region, most students would reach any cut-off areas
knowing the area was prone to were at school Many were but when they did they helped
earthquakes . buried under collapsed school save trapped people.
•No governmental scheme or buildings due to poor •Without any shelter, infants
evacuation procedure was infrastructure. and elders contracted
placed into action . •Local people started trying to pneumonia when downpours
•Houses were concrete, wood rescue those who were trapped. soaked their bedding.
and corrugated iron. •The Pakistani government and
•High density of buildings and the UN are encouraging people
people in all towns and villages. to rebuild their homes so they
are more resistant to
earthquakes
•Living in temporary tents and
shelters.
•Live of aid from foreign
countries.
•Foreign aid provided medical
care to help look after the
injured.
Analyse the response to the event
Immediate responses to the event were local people trying to rescue those who were trapped. Political
matters were put aside as the borders between India and Pakistan were opened to allow the Indian Red
cross to distribute 21 500 blankets, 300 kitchen sets, and medical supplies but also to allow food
through. The army and emergency services arrived to help dig people out. Helicopters from the military
were used to take the injured to first aid centres on flatter ground. Tents were given out by charities like
Muslim Aid and the Pakistani and Indian armies. Pakistan Airways carried emergency food and supplies
from other countries for free. Military hospitals were opened for civilian casualties. Rescue and medical
teams arrived from other countries (e.g.Russia and the UK) to try to find survivors and treat the injured.
The longer term responses so the Recovery section, would have been the re-established water supplies
and the rebuilding of homes. They will also have to rebuild schools and train teachers to counsel the
children who are in shock. Sanitation will also need to be rebuilt, and building laws may be tightened so
that less damage is caused less time!
Sources / References (e.g. textbooks, journals, documentary, internet)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/5392908.stm
A2 Phillip Allen Textbook
http://www.jugaa.com/new%20EERI%20File.pdf
http://www.cas.umt.edu/geography/documents/MRD_Hamilton_Halvorson_2007.pdf
http://fds.oup.com/www.oup.com/pdf/oxed/geog.GCSE_SB_01.pdf
http://www.himalayanclub.org/journal/the-great-himalayan-earthquakes/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWThsBBMJlM
http://pre-drp.org/about-2/disaster-management-cycle