Patras, Greece – A 7.9 earthquake shook Patras on Monday October 5th, 2010. The epicenter was in Patras which means the city felt the full blast of the massive earthquake. This is the strongest earthquake to hit Patras yet today stopping the flow of tourists equilivelant to that of the flow of wine made in the city. Many shook-up residents reported that they had trouble steering their cars. There were also reports of chimneys falling off and crashing onto the ground. This earthquake followed a smaller one that happened last year.

Due to the earthquake Greek banks headquarters were damaged. This Forced many banks all over Greece to Shut down due to structural damage. It also stopped tourism in the city due to destruction at the Hellenic airport and intercity buses. The Coca-cola Headquarter in Patras was damaged due to factory stacks falling on buildings. The cost of damage is estimated in the millions. If another catastrophic earthquake was to occur the company would be forced to move due to economics and Patras would lose millions due to the loss of the company. The city would lose money due to the loss of revenue brought in from the company paying taxes. Also production and jobs would be lost.

The earthquake impacted resident’s enjoying their favorite sports due to the arenas being damaged or destroyed. Many ancient buildings were damaged and some collapsed. Blocked roadways, prevented people on their way to work and other social

gatherings. Many residents utilize water for boating and other water related activities such as fishing, power for their grain mills and boat tours. So that part of their life would not be affected by an earthquake but, it would if a tsunami occurred. Daily routines would be altered depending on how much damage occurred at the waterfront.

Because Patras is on a fault line, they have prepared for earthquakes before. They send out alerts to their citizens to prepare emergency kits. They warn people to go to higher land incase of a tsunami. If you are in the harbor they will have you go out in the sea where it is safer to avoid a tsunami. At schools it is mandatory to learn the earthquake drills. Kids learn preparedness at the age of five and practice it every new term at school. They enforce education more than any other earthquake prone countries and because of that they have a smaller number of causalities caused by earthquakes.

Alexandra Miles Greece paper