Why would earthquakes of similar strength cause more deaths in some countries than in others?

Answer 1

There are many contributing factors, i.e. types of earth movement; vertical slip strike faults cause the greatest damage because of the sudden slip of one plate upward or downward against a parallel fault. Fault movement that slides pass two plates causes a rolling motion effect and long concentric shockwaves, so the damage is not as severe. Other factors like proximity of the fracture to the surface of the Earth have bearing on the severity of the damage that the earthquake will cause. For instance, if it is deeper in the crust of the Earth, then damage will be minimized, but if it closer to the surface, then damage will be more severe. Also, soil conditions may affect the end result, i.e. soft sand soil can cause liquefaction to occur during an earthquake in which the water table rises transforming the ground into a type of quicksand in which structures sink and topple over. Higher population densities in earthquake prone regions and poor construction techniques of structures may also generate higher damage, fatalities and injuries during an earthquake, whereas an earthquake of similar magnitude in a less populated region with higher construction standards may fair much better.

Answer 2

The location of the earthquake, surroundings of the epicentre, use of the land (above epicentre), population density are just some of the factors affecting the number of deaths for earthquakes of similar strength but occurring in different countries.

Answer 3

When the houses of a country are build according anti seismic norms, the houses do not crash easily. A lot of deaths are due to fall of houses and fires due to gas. In Japan a earthquake of magnitude 7 has done less deaths than in Pakistan

Answer 4

Ah a good quetion it is because in some poor contrys they do not have media such as tvs internet etc so they do not know that the earthquake is going to happen they also will not beable to find out how to avoide it. Also the buldings may not be bult as strong as they are in other contrys, I hope this has helped

Answer 5

Because the low frequency devices used by man to cause the earthquakes are controlled by men who decide who knows what when and where they will occur.

Answer 6

The two most important factors are population density and construction practises. In backward countries like most of Africa and many parts of Asia, especially the muslim dominated parts, more people die because they have refused to acknowledge the superiority of American and Japanese construction techniques. There is much to be learned from "infidels"...

Answer 7

It depends on factors like the geology or rock structure of the area, the population/built-up density, the construction materials used and also the level of rescue capablity.

Answer 8

because there are more people in some countries than in others. therefore more people CAN die from the earthquakes.

Answer 9

The area topology, demography, geology, type of constructions etc

Answer 10

It would depend on many factors. basic geology, density of population and building quality.