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In the aftermath of the Qa'yamat : 1 the Kashmir earthquake disaster in northern Pakistan
Author(s) -
Halvorson Sarah J.,
Parker Hamilton Jennifer
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
disasters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.744
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1467-7717
pISSN - 0361-3666
DOI - 10.1111/j.1467-7717.2009.01124.x
Subject(s) - frontier , urbanization , population , geography , preparedness , disaster risk reduction , natural hazard , hazard , socioeconomics , environmental planning , seismic risk , poison control , forensic engineering , political science , economic growth , environmental health , civil engineering , sociology , engineering , archaeology , law , economics , medicine , chemistry , organic chemistry , meteorology
This article explores the local impact of the catastrophic earthquake in northern Pakistan on 8 October 2005. Drawing on field research, including interviews with 40 earthquake survivors, the post‐disaster analysis presented here focuses upon risk awareness and the reactions of respondents to the 7.6 magnitude earthquake that devastated areas of Azad Jammu and Kashmir State, and North‐West Frontier Province. The analysis provides insights into local perceptions of seismic hazard and exposure as well as survivors' priorities with regard to rebuilding and reconstruction. The article suggests that the tragedy of the devastating earthquake is entangled in a deeper knot of causal factors that are social, economic and political in nature. Rapid population growth, urbanisation, changing building styles, environmental degradation and lack of preparedness and mitigation are associated with the circumstances that place the population at risk. Remarks concerning present and future risk reduction efforts are included.