Haiti discussion panel helps students understand the disaster
Brandy Swart | Staff Writer
Issue date: 2/3/10 Section: News
Understanding what caused an earthquake to hit Haiti and why the damage was so severe is vital in recognizing what areas are more prone to earthquakes and what preventative measures can be taken to limit damage in the future.
A panel discussion was held Jan. 27 at 3 p.m. in the Masonboro Island Room in the Fisher Student Center to discuss long-term relief methods for the people of Haiti. The discussion, Understanding Haiti: Making a Difference, was sponsored by the Center for Leadership Education and Service and the Center for Teaching Excellence. The panel consisted of seven members including faculty and students.
"Students are the future scientists and political leaders of our nation," said Dr. W. Burleigh Harris of the geography and geology department. "They will be making important decisions that will impact people's lives. The better we understand natural disasters, the better we can prepare for them. It is only through education and better preparation that lives will be saved during earthquakes."
The areas surrounding Haiti were shear and under compression. When energy is released suddenly, stress builds along the fault to the degree where the rocks can no longer absorb the pressure. The earthquake that occurred Jan. 12 happened approximately 10 kilometers below the surface and was of a 7.0 magnitude.
Educating the population and constructing earthquake-proof buildings are just two of many necessary steps to keep damage to a minimum and prepare for future earthquakes.
From 1962 to 2007 there have been 13 earthquakes in the Caribbean area with fatalities ranging from one to 5,000.
In addition to natural causes, political and economical issues of Haiti were also among many topics discussed. Haiti is moving toward a presidential-parliamentary system and currently working on forming a local government as well. Haiti has a population of 9.8 million, with half living on less than $1 a day. The income per household is around $1,300 a year.
A panel discussion was held Jan. 27 at 3 p.m. in the Masonboro Island Room in the Fisher Student Center to discuss long-term relief methods for the people of Haiti. The discussion, Understanding Haiti: Making a Difference, was sponsored by the Center for Leadership Education and Service and the Center for Teaching Excellence. The panel consisted of seven members including faculty and students.
"Students are the future scientists and political leaders of our nation," said Dr. W. Burleigh Harris of the geography and geology department. "They will be making important decisions that will impact people's lives. The better we understand natural disasters, the better we can prepare for them. It is only through education and better preparation that lives will be saved during earthquakes."
The areas surrounding Haiti were shear and under compression. When energy is released suddenly, stress builds along the fault to the degree where the rocks can no longer absorb the pressure. The earthquake that occurred Jan. 12 happened approximately 10 kilometers below the surface and was of a 7.0 magnitude.
Educating the population and constructing earthquake-proof buildings are just two of many necessary steps to keep damage to a minimum and prepare for future earthquakes.
From 1962 to 2007 there have been 13 earthquakes in the Caribbean area with fatalities ranging from one to 5,000.
In addition to natural causes, political and economical issues of Haiti were also among many topics discussed. Haiti is moving toward a presidential-parliamentary system and currently working on forming a local government as well. Haiti has a population of 9.8 million, with half living on less than $1 a day. The income per household is around $1,300 a year.
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eleanor
posted 2/15/10 @ 8:21 AM EST
A SONG4HATI
When the earthquake hit
And lives were lost
Think how you're feeling, now, now, now, now
With some hope
And a friend
We'll bring back courage, and strength somehow
Somehow we've got hope
For Haiti, oh
Bridge
There are some people out there,
Suffering,
What are you doing? Are you helping them?
There are some people out there
In poverty
They've probably, lost their families
Chorus
These unfortunates
They're just like you and me
They need a hero
So send hope for Haiti
So upset
When they've done nothing wrong
Be a hero
And let them stand so strong again
And now I'm in tears
Cos we can all be brought down
But if we listen to the sorrow
If we listen to that howl
Somehow we've got hope
For Haiti, oh
Bridge
There are some people out there,
Suffering,
What are you doing? Are you helping them?
There are some people out there
In poverty
They've probably, lost their families
Chorus
These unfortunates
They're just like
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