Why were the impacts of the Sichuan 2008 earthquake so severe? Write 1-2 paragraphs using evidence from to support your response.
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Answer:
At 2:28pm on 12 May 2008, a powerful earthquake struck Chinas Sichuan Province. Some 87,500 people were killed, 45.5m affected and 14.4m displaced. Economic losses were estimated at $86 billion, with 21m buildings damaged. According to a recent DFID report, the earthquake drove an estimated 10m people below the poverty line, with overall poverty in badly affected areas increasing from 11% to 35% of the population. Despite the extent of the devastation, this earthquake was not Chinas first experience with natural disaster. In fact, four of the ten most destructive earthquakes on record have occurred in the country, giving China extensive experience in coping with such emergencies experience that was put to good use in the response to the Sichuan earthquake.