It would depend on the “nature” of the disaster I think as well as the location of course. I just think it’s important to consider our own vulnerability as we evaluate this Haiti situation because, eventually, mother nature will visit us again. It’s inevitable. What’s more, there are man made disasters waiting to happen that could be just as bad if not worse. Look at Chernobyl for example.
“It would depend on the “nature” of the disaster I think...”
Very true. I’m in the Seattle area so I tend to focus on the effects of a huge quake. But I think you are correct in that a nuclear disaster (plant malfunction in a populated area, or a terrorist dirty bomb) could in some ways be worse. Or a biological weapon even worse.
I think I have my hands full with thinking about the next 9.0 EQ though!
I had the opportunity to tour the plant site nearly 20 years ago. Strangely enough, now that the numbers are in, they indicate a handful of people who've died from radiation-related causes. A few hundred, at most. And thousands who've died from stress-related causes -- heart attacks, strokes, hypertension, depression, suicide, etc. The reaction to the "katastrofi" harmed more people than the event itself.