January 19, 2010 - 8:15am
Students in Steven Earle’s Environment Geology course at Vancouver
Island University had just started studying the causes and characteristics of earthquakes
when Haiti was hit by a devastating quake.
The class was moved to organize several fundraising events to support
Red Cross relief efforts in the region.
“We’re trying to do as much as we can,” said student Nicole Soby. “We
had just started studying fault lines and plate tectonics when the earthquake
hit. It’s really horrific to see what’s
going on and the people in need. It’s been a powerful learning experience,”
Donations are being collected at an information table set up at the main
cafeteria at VIU’s Nanaimo campus. With the support of Panago Pizza’s south
Nanaimo outlet, students will sell slices at a Ski Bum Apres Party on campus
Thursday night.
Jumpin’ Java, the campus coffee shop, is collecting donations and will
give 10 cents to the VIU relief effort for each cup of coffee sold on
Wednesday. The class is also looking at other fundraising events such as a
barbecue.
The Haiti earthquake was 7.0 on the Richter scale. It wasn’t
particularly high but several factors combined to make it extremely tragic,
Earle said. “It was next to a city of three million people and much of Port-au-Prince
is built on a plain of soft sediments.”
That type of terrain amplifies the shaking from the earthquake, he said.
The prevalence of buildings with concrete block walls and concrete slab floors are
particularly susceptible to collapse. Earle is encouraging the fundraising
effort of his class. “Students are gaining an understanding of the impacts of
an earthquake. It brings the concepts home.”
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For more information, contact Steven Earle:
250-753-3245, local 2756 or email Steven.Earle@viu.ca
Tags: In the Community
