Guatemala Earthquake of 1976

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Recommended: Concolution of natural disaster

Table of Contents

Executive Summary 2

1.0 Disaster Location 3

2.0 Disaster Drivers 4

3.0 Disaster Context 4

4.0 Hazard Magnitude and Frequency 6

5.0 Lesson of Precedent 7

6.0 Impact of Human Activity 8

7.0 Magnitude of Losses 9

8.0 Mitigation and Future Recommendations 10

Works Cited 11

Executive Summary

Guatemala is a country that is very prone to natural disasters. It is a developing nation with many areas that must be addressed in order to take proactive measures, for disasters that may occur in the future. The following report will provide an in depth analysis of the Guatemala earthquake of February 4, 1976. This earthquake resulted in an estimated 23000 deaths, 76000 injuries, and over $1,100,000,000 in economic losses. This report will cover the disaster’s location, drivers, specific details related to magnitude, human activities, historically related information, and recommendations as well. There are many aspects of the Guatemala earthquake of 1976 that can be used when preparing for, and mitigating natural disasters that may occur in the future.

1.0 Disaster Location

Guatemala is a Central American country and is a nation that is very prone to major disasters. The country borders the North Pacific Ocean and is located between El Salvador and Mexico. The country also borders the Caribbean Sea between Honduras and Belize. Its geographic coordinates are 15.30 N, 90.15 W. The country of Guatemala has a total area of 108,889 sq km and its coastline is approximately 400km long (CIA, 2014).

The Guatemala earthquake of February 4, 1976 originated in the Motagua Fault and its epicenter was about 48 km southwest of Guatemala City. The tectonic ...

... middle of paper ...

... a natural event scientists blame climate changes on human activity." Mclean. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Mar. 2014. .

Olsen, Robert, and Richard Olsen. "The Guatemala Earthquake of 4 February 1976: Social Science Observations and Research Suggestions." Massemergencies 2 (1977): 69. Print.

Person, Waverly , William Spence, and James Dewey. "Main event and principal aftershocks from teleseismic data." The Guatemala Earthquake of 4 February 1976, A Preliminary Report 1 (1976): 17. Print.

Plafker, George , Manuel Bonilla, and Samuel Bonis. "Geologic Effects ." The Guatemala Earthquake of 4 February 1976, A Preliminary Report 1 (1976): 38. Print.

"WeatherSpark Beta." Historical Weather For 1976 in Guatemala City. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Mar. 2014. .

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