Post-traumatic stress disorder and comorbid depression among survivors of the 1999 earthquake in Turkey

This study examined the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and comorbid depression some three years after the August 1999 earthquake in Turkey among a sample of 769 survivors relocated to a permanent housing site built for homeless survivors in the epicentre region. Time since trauma was 3.1 years for 81 per cent of the participants and 3.9 years for the remainder. Survivors were assessed using the Screening Instrument for Traumatic Stress in Earthquake Survivors, an easily administered self-rating scale with demonstrated validity. The estimated rates of PTSD and comorbid depression were 40 per cent and 18 per cent, respectively. Linear regression analyses showed that PTSD strongly related to fear during the earthquake, while depression related to loss of family members. These results suggest that catastrophic earthquakes have long-term psychological consequences and highlight the need for a cost-effective mental health care model for earthquake survivors.     

Organisational learning and self-adaptation in dynamic disaster environments

This paper examines the problems associated with inter-organisational learning and adaptation in the dynamic environments that characterise disasters. The research uses both qualitative and quantitative methods to investigate whether organisational learning took place during and in the time in between five disaster response operations in Turkey. The availability of information and its exchange and distribution within and among organisational actors determine whether self-adaptation happens in the course of a disaster response operation. Organisational flexibility supported by an appropriate information infrastructure creates conditions conducive to essential interaction and permits the flow of information. The study found that no significant organisational learning occurred within Turkish disaster management following the earthquakes in Erzincan (1992), Dinar (1995) and Ceyhan (1998). By contrast, the 'symmetry-breaking' Marmara earthquake of 1999 initiated a 'double loop' learning process that led to change in the organisational, technical and cultural aspects of Turkish disaster management, as revealed by the Duzce earthquake response operations.     

Perception of earthquake risk in Agadir,Morocco: A case study from a Muslim community

Earthquakes are separated from other hazards in meaning, significance, and risk perception throughout the Islamic World due to their specific focus in their own chapter or surah “al-Zalzala” (99th) in the Qur'an. Unlike earthquakes that are discussed in terms or the Judgment Day or as divine punishment or retribution against the disbelieving or hypocritical—other natural hazards like floods, tornadoes, and landslides are rarely discussed. An extensive survey of earthquake survivors and longtime residents was undertaken to better understand the perceptions of seismic risk in Agadir, Morocco where two moderate earthquakes razed the city in 1960 leaving 15,000 dead and 25,000 injured. Most of the deaths were attributed to faulty construction (along with standards and enforcement), inaddition to poor evacuation plans.

During the summer of 2002, more than 250 earthquake survivors and residents were surveyed and interviewed for their knowledge and perception of the disaster forty years before. Surveys were conducted in Arabic, French and English and included questions and Likertscaled responses including extensive interviews in the hopes of obtaining ideas of their potential quake recurrence, seismology, current construction standard policies, and local and regional planning strategies. In addition, reviews the Qur'an, Hadith and classical and contemporary tafasir texts were used to investigate the guiding passages used in Islamic discussions of “al-Zalzala”.

It was found that younger persons (<25yo) were more likely to believed that brick, mortar and cement structures were always safer and stronger during and after a tremor, regardless as to whether they are iron-reinforced or sub-standard (and hazardous) stone or brick infilled. After the 1960 disaster, speedy recovery efforts often undermined concrete construction and reinforcement techniques since such ‘rebar’ was relatively unavailable. Even today, inferior and seismically unstable construction practices are widely used.

It was found that television-watchers considered themselves less knowledgeable about earthquakes, when in fact many aspects of the1960 event and earthquakes in general, were more widely understood by this group, supporting the notion that the medium of televisionis the most widely used, efficient, and fastest mass communication and education tool.

Less-educated respondents in general tended to attribute earthquakes to divine action and retribution. All questions, however, concerning the possibility of quake recurrence frequency or magnitude caused an overwhelming refusal to answer, or with the reply of ‘Allahu a'lam’ or “God is wisest”—implying or directly stating that any attempt at earthquake forecasting, quake-related construction, advanced architectural standards for seismic safety, and/or related education was ‘haram’ or prohibited by Islam.

Further discussions with participants in Agadir indicated that any guess, awareness or prediction was in fact, fortune-telling and therefore an act forbidden by the Qur'an and Hadith.

Finally, the less educated were more likely to say that Allah protected those who were devout and considered scientific assessment as futile, forecasting as forbidden, or new construction technologies as a waste since only the ‘kafir’ (non-Muslim) or ‘munafiq’ (hypocrite) were at risk to death or injury from an earthquake. These conclusions are important toward gaining an insight of perception and risky behavior in a questionably constructed city with now more than 600,000 people 40 years later, and in a region laced by active faulting.     

地震活动性的自助统计分析及其在河南省及邻区地震预报中的应用

引用自助统计分析 ,对华北地区 17次中强地震前地震活动震级分布的离散度自助统计方差σBM值与地震活动的关系进行了分析和研究 ,总结出了中强地震前地震活动离散度自助统计方差σBM值的异常特征。同时 ,把该方法应用到了河南及邻区中等地震预报研究中 ,制定了预报规则 ,进行了预测内符检验和预报评分。结果表明 ,该方法是一种有效的中短期地震预报方法 ,具有推广应用价值     

“一带一路”地区百余年地震时空演变特征

本研究基于“一带一路”地区1900-2018年间≥5级地震事件空间数据,采用小波周期与热区识别方法,分析了该地区地震灾害的空间分布格局与时间周期性特征,并识别了地震灾害空间热区及其演变特征。研究表明:(1)1900-2018年,“一带一路”地区地震发生频次表现出波动性上升的“三段式”分布,主要发生在亚欧大陆-喜马拉雅山周围的亚欧板块与印度洋板块的交界处以及俄罗斯东部沿海、印度尼西亚东南部的环太平洋地区;(2)地震频发地区和震级较强地区均具有多时间尺度的周期变化特征,及一定的空间聚集性,并逐渐演变成高发热区和高强热区;(3)中国和印度尼西亚发生频率远高于其他国家,而缅甸、孟加拉、马尔代夫等国发生频次较低,但其震级强度相对较大。研究结果提示我们未来针对“一带一路”地区基础设施的投资应适当规避地震频发地区及未来潜在的高强热区,同时加强国际间减灾防灾合作,从而更好的降低或预防“一带一路”地区基础设施建设的地震灾害风险。     

国内外液化砂砾土土性对比分析

砂土液化问题的研究特别是砂土液化的判别目前已经取得了较大的进展,并在国内外现行的规范中充分反映,而砂砾土由于颗粒大、透水性好,普遍认为地震时孔压不至于上升至液化的程度,往往将其划分为非液化土类。通过调查汶川地震砂砾土液化情况以及勘察试验获取其土性资料,对比分析了国内外液化砂砾土的地质背景及土性特征。主要认识为:①以往国内外砂砾土液化实例虽然有限,但已经表明松散-稍密的砂砾土在一定的地震强度下仍有可能发生液化,而2008年汶川地震中的大量砂砾土液化的事实,说明笼统地将砂砾土划归为非液化土类的做法有误;②汶川地震液化砂砾土的颗粒级配范围涵盖了国内外其他地震的颗粒级配,研究汶川地震的砂砾土液化问题具有代表性和普遍性,以此建立的砂砾土液化评价方法在国际上应具有通用性。     

The generative power of metaphor: long‐term action research on disaster recovery in a small Japanese village

Disaster recovery is a dynamic process of creating, maintaining, and changing the meaningful context of survivors. It is completed when they redevelop their self‐reliance and resume managing their social relations with a sense of community. This study employed action research to examine how researchers and survivors collaborated to change disaster recovery through the generative power of metaphor in a small village in Japan that experienced the Niigata–Chuetsu earthquake on 23 October 2004. It outlines long‐term collaborative practices as survivors undertook new activities owing to the power of the metaphor of ‘school’. Once ‘school’ was adopted as the metaphor for where survivors learnt new skills and passed on traditional knowledge, they created new metaphors and performed new activities independently, which is critical for recovery as it demonstrates self‐reliance. The paper assesses the reasons why generative metaphors worked effectively in this case and highlights some academic and practical implications for disaster recovery.     

中期强震预报的TIP方法原理及其应用

在剖析了V.keilia-Borok研究小组近年来提出的强震预报(Time of increasedprobability)方法的基础上,本文简要地介绍了该方法的原理,采用1970-01-01至1991-12-31的全国地震目录,通过两种途径,用Tip方法对云南省和台湾省发生的7级以上(含7级)强震做了检验地震目录,通过表明Tip方法对强震的预报成功率还是较高的.在此基础上,我们又试验将该方法推广应用于云南省发生的6.5级以上(含6.5级)地震,结果表明适当修改地震流函数后,也可以得到较满意的结果.     

华北几次大震前弱震分布参数R(t)的异常变化

本文详细研究了1974年以来华北地区9次Ms≥5.0级大震前,小震时空分布参数R(t)的变化特征.结果表明:华北地区9次Ms≥5.0级大震前小震时空分布参数R(t)值均出现了先上升,然后下降直至主震发生的异常图象。根据R(t)值异常可能对未来发生的大震作出一定程度的预报.文中对R(t)值异常变化的机制进行了初步讨论.     

祁连山—河西走廊地区5级以上地震前水氡短临异常特征

在充分整理单台水氡资料的基础上,对发生在祁连山—河西走廊活动断裂系的5级以上地震进行了短临阶段水氡异常的分析研究。内容主要包括:异常出现的频次、持续时间、异常结束到发震的时间、异常的范围等。进而对该地区5级以上地震水氡短临前兆异常的特征作了归纳。     

Damage to structures caused by the Japan Sea earthquake of 1983

A summary review of the Japan Sea (Nipponkai-chubu) earthquake of 1983 is presented. Damage to civil and building structures is explained in brief. Owing to the spread of earthquake-proof design, damage sustained was very slight for a M = 7.7 earthquake, except to those built on liquefied ground. Our next target in earthquake engineering may be to protect and maintain the functions of city-facilities against strong shaking so that citizens might not experience much disruption in their daily lives after big earthquakes.     

上海及邻近地区地震烈度衰减规律研究

上海市是国际性大都市,确定合理的抗震设防标准,对于城市防震减灾、经济建设和社会可持续发展具有重要意义。地震动衰减关系是地震区划和重大工程场地地震安全性评价的重要内容。在已有的上海及邻近地区地震烈度衰减关系中,统计结果所依据的烈度资料包括历史地震资料,而历史地震资料因震中位置精度不高原则上不宜作为地震烈度衰减关系的统计资料。在借用法工作中,地震动衰减关系所用的距离参数一般采用实际距离,与烈度等震线距离的含义有所不同。基于上述原因,本文仅选用了有近代仪器测定震级的地震,并对等震线的距离参数进行了修正,利用联合衰减统计方法,统计得到上海及邻近地区地震烈度衰减关系。 与以往的类似工作不同之处是:(1)仅选用了有近代仪器测定震级的地震,这样统计结果比较可靠。(2)对距离参数进行了修正,使地震动衰减和烈度衰减关系中的距离参数的定义尽可能保持一致。     

Associations between economic loss,financial strain and the psychological status of Wenchuan earthquake survivors

This study examines the effects of economic loss on the life satisfaction and mental health of Wenchuan earthquake survivors. Economic loss is measured by earthquake impacts on the income and houses of the survivors. The correlation analysis shows that earthquake impact on income is significantly correlated with life satisfaction and depression. The regression analyses indicate that earthquake impact on income is indirectly associated with life satisfaction and depression through its effect on financial strain. The research highlights the importance of coping strategies in maintaining a balance between economic status and living demands for disaster survivors.     

应用极值理论研究台湾和华东地区中强地震活动的相关性

运用极值分布理论对1970～1999年间台湾和华东地区的地震资料进行统计性研究,得出其地震相应震级的复发周期[T(M)]、理论发震次数(η)和华东地区中强地震的发震概率阈值(PO)。通过对T(M)的同比分析,发现两地中强地震存在着较好的相关性。用以上研究的结果对华东地区5级以上地震的发震概率、发震时间和地震强度进行综合判定,效果较好。     

Injuries as a Result of California Earthquakes in the Past Decade

The devastating effects of earthquakes have been demonstrated repeatedly in the past decade, through moderate and major earthquakes such as the October 1987 Whittier Narrows earthquake (5.9 on the Richter scale), the October 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake (7.1) and the January 1994 Northridge earthquake (6.7). While 'official' tallies of injuries and deaths are reported for each event, the numbers vary from report to report. For Northridge, the number of injuries vary between 8,000 and 12,000; the number of deaths from 33 to 73 (Peek-Asa et al., 1997; Durkin, 1996).While official estimates are commonly reported following disasters, the study of actual numbers, types and causes of casualties has not developed. In this paper, we identify the numbers and risk factors for injuries within community-based samples across three earthquakes in urban California. We first report the numbers and types of injuries in each earthquake and then identify risk factors specifically associated with the Northridge earthquake     

Superstorm Sandy and the academic achievement of university students

Much of the literature on the consequences of natural disasters has focused on their physical and psychological ramifications. Few researchers have considered how the impacts of a natural disaster can influence academic achievement. This study analyses data collected from nearly 300 students at a mid‐sized, private university in the northeast United States to determine if the effects of Cyclone Sandy in 2012 are associated with measures of academic achievement. The findings reveal that experiencing headaches after the event resulted in a higher likelihood of students suffering a loss of academic motivation. In addition, experiencing headaches and a loss of academic motivation were correlated with a lower grade point average (GPA) during the semester in which Sandy made landfall. However, the more direct effects of the superstorm, including displacement and a loss of power, did not have a significant bearing on academic achievement. Lastly, the paper examines the implications for higher education policy and future research.     

江苏-南黄海地区断裂带附近的小震活动与主震的关系

通过对 1 970年以来 ,江苏南黄海地区的 9次ML>5 4中强地震发生前的中小震活动分析 ,发现该地区ML>5 4中强地震 (本文称为主震 )发生前 2～ 3年内均有一系列ML3 0左右中小地震发生 ,而且这些中小地震的空间分布与主震在同一断裂带上。根据断裂带上的中小震活动情况 ,运用地震活动性的有关分析方法 ,对未来地震进行外推 ,并进行检验。得出 ,可以将断裂带附近发生的一些ML3 0左右的小震 ,视为该断裂带上将要发生的主震     

关于发布地震预报的抉择

地震预报是人们讨论的一个热门话题。当前国际上普遍认同的一个基本事实是 ,地震预报水平远远未达到实用化的阶段。无庸置疑的是 ,作出发布短临预报的决策 ,是防震减灾工作中一项难度最大的工作。它长期困扰着各国地震工作部门和政府行政部门。公开发布地震预报 ,主要考虑因素有 :短临地震预报能力 ,作短临预报需付出的代价 ,以及地震预报公开发布后将会取得的实际收益。对以上三个因素权衡得失 ,趋利避害 ,注重实际效果。如果我们将这三个因素用预报效益来联系 ,那么 ,预报效益则等于预报实际取得的收益与发布地震预报必须付出的代价之比。若比值大于 1,则可公开发布 ;如比值小于 1,则不宜公开发布 ;当比值接近 1时 ,需同时考虑预报意见的信度这个因素。我国不同地区由于其经济发达程度、人口密度、国土财富率相差甚大 ,因此在用上述三个因素作是否公开发布地震预报的抉择上显然其结论是不同的。本文认为 :1 5 5级以下地震 ,东部和西部直接经济损失 (人民币 )约为 8亿元和 2亿元 ,经济上公开发布代价远大于当地所取得的实际收益 ,人员伤亡不超过 10人。因此无论东、西部均不宜公开发布地震预报 ,我们将 5 5级地震定为公开发布预报的震级下限。2 对于 5 5级至 6 5级地震 ,我国东部地区的直接经济损     

地震预报研究的发展展望

对40年来地震科学家就地震预报工作所做出的努力进行了回顾总结;对国际间在地震预报方面下一步的工作做了介绍;同时,对我国今后的地震预报发展战略提出了自己的看法。认为我国地震预报的发展应认真考虑以下3个问题:(1)基础理论研究与地震预报实践紧密结合的问题;(2)地震预报观测技术在地震预报工作中的角色定位问题;(3)“地震预报实验场”在地震预报实践中的作用问题。     

Towards an earthquake-resilient world: from post-disaster reconstruction to pre-disaster prevention

ABSTRACT

Destructive earthquakes in urban or rural areas around the world have caused severe damage to local societies. Pre-disaster prevention and post-disaster reconstruction can significantly reduce the impact of earthquakes on communities. To explore the popular research topics and trends in this area, CiteSpace was used to develop a knowledge map visualization. It was found that the main research into earthquake disaster prevention and reconstruction has been focused on disaster risk reduction planning, disaster mitigation knowledge, participatory disaster governance, and community resilience building. In this Special Issue, there were six distinctive earthquake disaster research papers that covered scientific, social, and institutional aspects. It was concluded that to reduce the effects of earthquake disasters, an interdisciplinary research approach and systems thinking is needed. The investigation also revealed that there has been a paradigm shift from post-disaster reconstruction to pre-disaster prevention to build community and urban resilience.