Haiti 2010 earthquake—How to explain such huge losses?

Abstract

This article provides an overview of the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that struck Haiti on 12 January 2010, with emphasis on the disaster losses. This catastrophic event has entered world history as one of the most destructive earthquakes on record. Yet, we only have a very incomplete idea of the losses it caused. Conflicting estimates have been published by different institutions, organizations, and individuals. The article tries to present the reasons why this event, which was a strong but not an exceptional earthquake, has caused so much devastation.