Exploring Why LEDC's Suffer Greater Damage From Earthquakes Than MEDC's

Exploring Why LEDC's Suffer Greater Damage From Earthquakes Than MEDC's

A MEDC is a more economically developed country; therefore it can

afford to spend money on improving the countries stability and helping

to decrease the damage from an earthquake. An example of a MEDC is

Kobe, in Tokyo, where in January 1995; an earthquake that measured 7.5

on the Richter scale hit the city. A LEDC is a less economically

developed country and therefore cannot afford to spend money to

protect the country from earthquakes. An example of an LEDC is

Armenia, in Columbia, where on the 25th January 1999; an earthquake

measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale was the worst earthquake the

country had experienced since 1983.

As MEDC's have more money to spend on prediction methods, I would

expect there to be less deaths and damage in MEDC's than in LEDC's.

This is due to a number of reasons. Firstly, because MEDC's are more

economically developed, they can afford to spend money on prediction

methods, such as GPS satellite, which is when data is sent from

satellites to computers with information such as plate movement and

changes in the earth's surface. This prediction method is very

accurate; however, a disadvantage is that if the computers fail then

all of the data will be lost. Also, the fact that MEDC's have more

money would also mean that they can spend more money on preparing the

country for an earthquake. This can be done by reinforcing the bridges

and by starting to make earthquake proof buildings. Also, the

government could give out information of what to do if an earthquake

strikes. This could be posted to each person's house explaining the

key steps involved. In comparison, as LEDC's do not have as much

money, they cannot afford to spend money on earthquake precautions.

Therefore, LEDC's have poor quality building and precaution methods,

whereas MEDC's have sophisticated building and prediction and

prevention methods.

An example of an earthquake in an MEDC is the earthquake that occurred

in Kobe, Japan, in January 1995.