TY - JOUR
T1 - Building collapse and human deaths resulting from the Chi-Chi earthquake in Taiwan, September 1999
AU - Liao, Yen Fisiung
AU - Hwang, Long Chih
AU - Chang, Chih Ching
AU - Hong, Yu Jue
AU - Lee, I. Nong
AU - Huang, Jen Hsuan
AU - Lin, Shu Fang
AU - Shen, Maurice
AU - Lin, Chia Hong
AU - Gau, Yung Yen
AU - Yang, Chin Tzo
N1 - Funding Information:
This work was supported, in part, by fund DOH-TD-1218 from the Department of Health, Taiwan, Republic of China. Submitted for publication September 2, 2002; accepted for publication April 23, 2003. Requests for reprints should be sent to Yen-Hsiung Liao, School of Public Health, Kaohsiung Medical University, Taiwan, Republic of China. E-mail: [email protected]
PY - 2003/9
Y1 - 2003/9
N2 - In this study, the authors attempted to determine factors associated with earthquake deaths in the great Chi-Chi Earthquake that occurred on September 21, 1999, in Taiwan. An isoseismal map was used to identify life-threatening hazards. The vertical peak ground acceleration of ground motion intensity was deemed the most appropriate index for the evaluation of building collapse and mortality. Mortality increased with the increase in earthquake intensity, and building collapse, approaching the epicenter. The greatest number of collapsed buildings and human deaths occurred between the Chelungpu Fault and the Shuantun Fault. Individuals 65 yr of age and older were the most vulnerable to the impact. The authors' findings suggest that improvements in earthquake-resistant building design and construction, as well as improved medical rescue for the elderly, could reduce the level of exposure to earthquake hazards.
AB - In this study, the authors attempted to determine factors associated with earthquake deaths in the great Chi-Chi Earthquake that occurred on September 21, 1999, in Taiwan. An isoseismal map was used to identify life-threatening hazards. The vertical peak ground acceleration of ground motion intensity was deemed the most appropriate index for the evaluation of building collapse and mortality. Mortality increased with the increase in earthquake intensity, and building collapse, approaching the epicenter. The greatest number of collapsed buildings and human deaths occurred between the Chelungpu Fault and the Shuantun Fault. Individuals 65 yr of age and older were the most vulnerable to the impact. The authors' findings suggest that improvements in earthquake-resistant building design and construction, as well as improved medical rescue for the elderly, could reduce the level of exposure to earthquake hazards.
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U2 - 10.3200/AEOH.58.9.572-578
DO - 10.3200/AEOH.58.9.572-578
M3 - Article
C2 - 15369275
AN - SCOPUS:4444359511
SN - 0003-9896
VL - 58
SP - 572
EP - 578
JO - Archives of Environmental Health
JF - Archives of Environmental Health
IS - 9
ER -
