Which statement describes a primary effect of the Chile earthquake?

Which statement describes a primary effect of the Chile earthquake?

• A. 90% had power and water within 2 days
• B. 800,000 affected
• C. 7000 schools rebuilt
• D. Reconstruction within 2 years

Answer: (B)

Primary effects are the immediate physical impacts caused by the ground shaking, like damage to buildings, roads, and utilities, and injuries or deaths among people. In the Chile earthquake, the most immediate consequence described is that about 800,000 people were affected by the event itself—a direct result of the shaking causing disruption and damage to homes and livelihoods. The other statements refer to later stages of response and recovery: restoring power and water within two days is part of relief and rebuilding efforts, while rebuilding thousands of schools and reconstruction within two years are longer-term recovery outcomes. So the 800,000 affected best represents the quake’s primary effect.

Primary effects are the immediate physical impacts caused by the ground shaking, like damage to buildings, roads, and utilities, and injuries or deaths among people. In the Chile earthquake, the most immediate consequence described is that about 800,000 people were affected by the event itself—a direct result of the shaking causing disruption and damage to homes and livelihoods. The other statements refer to later stages of response and recovery: restoring power and water within two days is part of relief and rebuilding efforts, while rebuilding thousands of schools and reconstruction within two years are longer-term recovery outcomes. So the 800,000 affected best represents the quake’s primary effect.