The Indian Gujarat Earthquake 26 January 2001 Teacher's Notes Case Study Student Activities Overview This study examines the nature and impact of the earthquake, which struck the Indian state of Gujarat in the morning of 26 January 2001 and the local and international responses, including that of the Australian Government. Registering 7.9 on the Richter scale, the Gujarat earthquake was the second largest recorded earthquake in India and the country's worst natural disaster in more than 50 years causing widespread death, injury and damage. The great intensity of the earthquake was a consequence of the epicentre being located approximately 30 kilometres beneath the earth's surface. Level Junior/Middle secondary Objectives Students should demonstrate knowledge of: the impact of the Gujarat earthquake on people and community infrastructure the following terms: focus, epicentre, infrastructure, trauma, NGO the roles of governments and non-government organisations (NGOs) in providing assistance to individuals and communities in the event of natural disasters. Students should demonstrate the ability to: identify, locate and extract data from a range of information sources evaluate ways of responding to natural disasters. Preparation Class work on earthquakes and their causes could be useful. Procedure The role of the teacher is largely that of facilitator. Resources India The Australian Agency for International Development's (AusAID) website provides information of the Government's aid program, including data on a range of projects in India. http://www.ausaid.gov.au The Australian Government's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has a country profile on India. http://www.dfat.gov.au/geo/india/index.html The CIA World Fact Book provides information on India. Go to 'Country Listing' and scroll down to India. http://www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook/ Earthquakes United States Geological Survey http://earthquake.usgs.gov/activity/ latest/eq_01_01_26/ Earthquake glossary http://earthquake.usgs.gov/4kids//eqterms.html International Organisations United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) http://www.reliefweb.int/mapc/ asi_sth/cnt/ind/seismiczone.html Non Government Organisations The Australian Red Cross http://www.redcross.org.au UNICEF Australia http://www.unicef.com.au Tear Australia http://www.tear.org.au Community Aid Abroad/Oxfam http://www.caa.org.au   Top © Commonwealth of Australia