HAITI EARTHQUAKE
Tectonic Hazard Case Study (2010)
BACKGROUND & CAUSES
The Event: On January 12th, 2010, a catastrophic 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti. The
epicentre was located near Léogâne, approximately 25km west of the capital, Port-au-Prince.
The earthquake's focus was very shallow, just 13km below the Earth's surface.
Tectonic Setting: Haiti sits at the northern end of the Caribbean Plate, on a conservative
(transform) plate boundary with the North American Plate. The North American Plate moves
westwards, causing friction and a build-up of pressure between the plates. The sudden release
of this pressure caused a slip along the existing Enriquillo-Plantain Garden fault.
PRIMARY IMPACTS
• Catastrophic Loss of Life: The Haitian Government reported between 217,000 and
230,000 deaths, with roughly 300,000 injured.
• Destruction of Infrastructure: Approximately 250,000 residences and 30,000 commercial
buildings completely collapsed or were severely damaged.
• Displacement: An estimated 1,000,000 people were made homeless instantly, as over 3
million people in total were affected by the quake.
SECONDARY IMPACTS
• Basic Needs Crisis: Over two million people were left without access to clean water and
food, compounded by regular power cuts.
• Social Breakdown: Crime rates increased significantly; looting became a widespread
problem, and reports of sexual violence escalated in temporary shelters.
• Disease Outbreak: By November 2010, the poor sanitation in temporary camps led to
severe, widespread outbreaks of cholera.
Tectonic Hazard Case Study (2010)
BACKGROUND & CAUSES
The Event: On January 12th, 2010, a catastrophic 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti. The
epicentre was located near Léogâne, approximately 25km west of the capital, Port-au-Prince.
The earthquake's focus was very shallow, just 13km below the Earth's surface.
Tectonic Setting: Haiti sits at the northern end of the Caribbean Plate, on a conservative
(transform) plate boundary with the North American Plate. The North American Plate moves
westwards, causing friction and a build-up of pressure between the plates. The sudden release
of this pressure caused a slip along the existing Enriquillo-Plantain Garden fault.
PRIMARY IMPACTS
• Catastrophic Loss of Life: The Haitian Government reported between 217,000 and
230,000 deaths, with roughly 300,000 injured.
• Destruction of Infrastructure: Approximately 250,000 residences and 30,000 commercial
buildings completely collapsed or were severely damaged.
• Displacement: An estimated 1,000,000 people were made homeless instantly, as over 3
million people in total were affected by the quake.
SECONDARY IMPACTS
• Basic Needs Crisis: Over two million people were left without access to clean water and
food, compounded by regular power cuts.
• Social Breakdown: Crime rates increased significantly; looting became a widespread
problem, and reports of sexual violence escalated in temporary shelters.
• Disease Outbreak: By November 2010, the poor sanitation in temporary camps led to
severe, widespread outbreaks of cholera.
