The barriers to environmental sustainability in post‐disaster settings: a case study of transitional shelter implementation in Haiti

Disaster recovery operations that do not account for environmental sustainability (ES) risk exacerbating the impact of the disaster and hindering long‐term recovery efforts. Yet aid agencies do not always consider ES. This research is a case study of the recovery that followed the 2010 earthquake in Haiti. Using timber and concrete procurement as proxies for broader post‐disaster operations, research examined perceptions of ES as well as attempts at and barriers to incorporating it into programming. Identified barriers can be grouped into two categories: (1) prioritisations and perceptions within the disaster response sector that resulted in limited enthusiasm for incorporating ES into programming, and (2) structural and organisational barriers within the disaster response framework that impeded ES attempts and served as a further disincentive to incorporating ES into programming. As a result of those barriers, incorporation of ES was sporadic and inconsistent and often depended on the capacity and motivation of specific implementers.     

The public health system response to the 2008 Sichuan province earthquake: a literature review and interviews

This paper describes and analyses the public health system response to the deadly earthquake in Sichuan province, China, in May 2008. Drawing on an experiential learning project consisting of a literature review and field research, including a series of interviews with medical and public health professionals, policy‐makers and first responders, a conceptual framework was developed to describe the response. This approach emphasises the pre‐existing preparedness level of the medical and public health systems, as well as social, economic and geo‐political factors that had an impact on mitigation efforts. This framework was used to conduct post‐disaster analyses addressing major response issues and examining methods employed during the public health response to the disaster. This framework could be used to describe and analyse the emergency response to other disasters.     

Tears,fears and cheers: responses to the post‐disaster school relocation policy in China

This paper reports on the results of a qualitative study on the responses of Chinese school children in one junior middle school and their parents to China's post‐disaster school relocation policy. The sample comprised 22 pairs of parent–child dyads and two pupils whose parents could not be contacted. The study results were reported using Chambers and Wedel's (2009) conceptual framework, which delineates the fundamental elements of a policy. Content analysis was used to generate themes related to policy elements, such as goals, benefits and services. Both repetitive themes and idiosyncratic perspectives were reported so as to present a diversity of views. Despite adjustment difficulties and administrative problems reported by the study participants, the policy attention given to the rapid restoration of formal schooling for children was generally appreciated. The move back to the new school was greeted with cheer.     

不同地震序列类型地震的特征性质研究

收集整理了1993年以来的地震资料,建立M5地震和M6地震两个样本组,选取发震断层、震源复杂性、视应力3个参数,使用模糊等价关系的聚类分析方法对地震进行分类,把具有相同性质的地震归为同一类,研究孤立型、主余型、多震型地震的某些特征性质。结果表明:1孤立型地震性质:震源错动方式简单,应力降高或很高,视应力低或很低,震源区介质非均匀程度低;2多震型地震性质:对于走滑断层地震,震源错动方式复杂,应力降低或很低,视应力偏高或很高,震源区介质非均匀程度较高。     

高压输电线铁塔地震时程弹性数值模拟

地震对高压输电线铁塔的安全性能有重要影响。通过建立高压输电线铁塔模型,采用有限元方法对受7级和8级地震影响的高压输电线铁塔的力学行为进行数值模拟与分析。计算结果表明:在地震作用下高压输电线铁塔t=3-4s时加速度最大,其应力也相应较大;在7级地震时最大应力值远小于材料的许可应力,高压输电线铁塔在7级地震过程中是安全的,但是8级地震时,最大应力值已经达到234MPa,超过Q345许可应力230MPa,高压线铁塔就处于不安全运行状态。     

The growing role of web‐based geospatial technology in disaster response and support

This paper examines changes in disaster response and relief efforts and recent web‐based geospatial technological developments through an evaluation of the experiences of the Center for Geographic Analysis, Harvard University, of the Sichuan (2008) and Haiti (2010) earthquake responses. This paper outlines how conventional GIS (geographic information systems) disaster responses by governmental agencies and relief response organisations and the means for geospatial data‐sharing have been transformed into a more dynamic, more transparent, and decentralised form with a wide participation. It begins by reviewing briefly at historical changes in the employment of geospatial technologies in major devastating disasters, including the Sichuan and Haiti earthquakes (case studies for our geospatial portal project). It goes on to assess changes in the available dataset type and in geospatial disaster responders, as well as the impact of geospatial technological changes on disaster relief effort. Finally, the paper discusses lessons learned from recent responses and offers some thoughts for future development.     

地震应急期关键时间阶段划分研究

在研究我国地震应急救援相关法律法规、预案,以及汶川、玉树、盈江、彝良和海地、东日本等国内外地震应急救援案例的基础上,将地震应急期划分成应急启动、紧急救援、过渡性安置等3个阶段,并对各阶段的持续时间、主要工作及其先后次序进行了梳理.在实际抗震救灾工作中,这3个阶段不是互不相干、相互独立的,而是存在一定的时间相关性.这就需要指挥者对不同阶段的重点工作优先考虑,同时兼顾各项相关工作,保证抗震救灾工作的顺利进行.     

2012年全球地震灾害概要

2012年是近百年来全球地震的轻灾年.根据本年度国内外地震灾害资料,总结出2012年全球地震灾害的主要数据和“双震”成灾、沿“地球脐带”的分布特征.     

汶川8.0级地震时徐州台地震动和形变同震响应分析

通过对汶川8.0级地震和6次强余震时徐州地震台的形变同震响应和地震位移量研究,计算了汶川地震主震发生时地震面波到达徐州的时间和位移量,统计了汶川8.0级地震及其强余震引起的同震阶变时间参数、幅度参数和阶跃形态。研究结果表明:①该台4套形变观测均有较高的同震响应能力,同震阶变的开始时间与主震面波到达徐州台的时间基本吻合,可以认为同震应变阶和同震波是由强震面波引起的,是一种叠加在体应变固体潮曲线上的高频变化,并呈现快速振荡衰减的形式。②同台同岩性的不同形变观测对同一个地震的响应是不同的,阶跃形状、响应大小、响应时间、变化幅度都有较大的差别,这种差别更多的是反映了仪器本身的性能、观测精度、频率响应的不同,并不是应力场变化和构造特征的差异。③汶川地震引起的徐州地区应力变化以压应力为主,大地震的动态应力触发作用对远场的应变变化具有重要影响。     

Disaster vulnerability of businesses in the 2001 Nisqually earthquake

Abstract

This paper examines the impacts of the February, 2001, Nisqually earthquake on businesses. Focusing on two hard-hit business districts in Seattle, the study investigates the extent of losses, patterns of disparities, and underlying loss factors. A conceptual framework is proposed of how business vulnerability dimensions contribute to disaster loss. Interviews were conducted with owners and managers of 107 businesses. Data were gathered on impacts, methods of finance, and disaster preparedness. Results showed that business losses were much greater than what standard statistical data would imply. Analysis found that a composite index of vulnerability—based on business sector, size, and building occupancy tenure—provides a very powerful predictor of business loss. Physical damage was a much weaker predictor of loss. Moreover, business recovery was influenced not only by characteristics of the business itself, but also by conditions in the neighborhood.