Describe the primary and secondary effects of an earthquake.

One common primary (or immediate) effect of an earthquake is the destruction of buildings. The collapse of buildings could in turn lead to the loss of life. Earthquakes may also cause damage to vital infrastructure such as roads, schools and hospitals. In particular, the damage to roads is more immediate, with emergency response heavily restricted. 

From such primary effects may spawn secondary (or long term) effects. As a result of the destruction of buildings, the costs of reconstruction may leave future homes too expensive to insure. Many people will also be made homeless, and in LEDCs where house insurance is not widespread, this could cause long term problems for families. An example of this is the Kashmir Earthquake in 2005, where 3.5 million people were rendered homeless. In addition, the loss of infrastructure may increase the probability of an epidemic spreading. A good example of this is the Haiti earthquake, 2010. The weakened infrastructure around the water supply following the earthquake caused an outbreak of cholera which killed over 200,000 people, in addition to the 200,000 caused by the earthquake itself.