the 2002 afganistan earthquake measured 5.9 on the richter scdale and killed 1800 people. the 2001 western Washington 6.8 on the richter scale and killed only one person. can you imagine why the huge difference in the numbers of deaths? hint it has something to do with materials
When buildings aren't constructed to withstand earthquakes, people who are in those buildings are killed.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earthquake_engineering
Certainly! The difference in the number of deaths in the 2002 Afghanistan earthquake, which measured 5.9 on the Richter scale and killed 1800 people, compared to the 2001 Western Washington earthquake, which measured 6.8 on the Richter scale and killed only one person, can be attributed to a variety of factors. One important factor is the type and quality of building materials used in each region.
In Afghanistan, the buildings are typically constructed with lower-quality materials, such as adobe or unreinforced masonry, which are more prone to collapse during an earthquake. These materials are not strong enough to withstand the shaking and are more likely to crumble, trap people inside, and cause casualties. Additionally, the construction practices and building codes in Afghanistan may not be as stringent or strictly enforced as in regions with more developed infrastructure.
On the other hand, in Western Washington, the buildings are generally constructed with more modern and earthquake-resistant materials, such as reinforced concrete or steel frames. These materials are designed to flex and absorb the energy generated by an earthquake, making them more resistant to structural failure. Moreover, the region likely has stricter building codes and regulations in place to ensure that structures can withstand seismic events.
In summary, the stark difference in the number of deaths can be attributed to the fact that buildings in Afghanistan were constructed with less resilient materials and may not have adhered to strict building codes, while Western Washington had better construction practices, quality materials, and stricter regulations in place.