1. Case Study: L’Aquilla 2009
Where did it happen? L’Aquilla is found in central Italy and is the capital
of the region of Abruzzo. The earthquake occurred on the destructive
boundary between the African late and the Eurasian plate.
What happened? At 3:32pm on the 6th of April 2009 an earthquake of magnitude 5.8 on the Richter
scale. The epicentre was 60km away from Rome, close to L’Aquilla and the focus was 10km deep.
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Primary effects
 Businesses disrupted
 110000 buildings damaged
 Damage to medieval buildings and
the cathedral
 Broken water pipe outside Pagancia
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291 people killed
1500 people injured
Secondary effects
 Cost Italy $15 billion
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Landslides triggered
Immediate responses
 Silvio Berlusconi refused foreign aid for
the emergency
 11,000 volunteers helped in the aftermath
 34000 homeless housed in161 tent camps
 Red cross set up a field kitchen providing
10000 meals a day
 Italian Sky stopped billing people and
provided TV’s in camps
 The post office set up ,mobile offices
allowing people access to money and
pensions
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58000 people homeless
88000 people left unemployed
28000 students unable to access
university
1000km2 of land affected by surface
ruptures, rock falls and landslides.
Long term responses
 Government paid for 100% of building
reconstruction
 New towns to be funded by the
government to help economic growth

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Mobile companies provided free mobile
phones
Rescue attempt was well organised
between the Army, Fire service and
ambulances.
Cranes and diggers used to remove
rubble
International teams helped with rescue
effort.
Government provided money to pay rent.
Mortgages, Gas and electricity bills were
suspended
How was the hazard managed? There was some management of the hazard but it did not have much
effect. Many of the old buildings were not properly retrofitted to make them earthquake proof
however there is a national volunteer force to help with rescue efforts and a regularly updated seismic
risk map. Despite this a scientist predicted an imminent earthquake a week in advance of the event
because of an increase in the amount of radon gas emitted. His concerns were dismissed and he was to
remove his work from the internet to stop fear spreading across the population.