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21/01/2010

In this special edition of One Planet, Roland Pease talks to geologists about the underlying causes of the devastating earthquake in Haiti.

It's 250 years since Port-au-Prince was hit by an earthquake, but to geologists the rapidly growing city has long seemed vulnerable to this most terrifying of natural disasters.

The Haitian capital sits almost on top of a geological fault line that has been steadily stressed for two and a half centuries, and the rocks had to give at some point. The impossible question was when.

In this special edition of One Planet, the 麻豆社's Roland Pease talks to the geologists who only last year were warning of Haiti's peril, and hears about the lessons not only for Port-au-Prince, but for cities around the world that could be levelled in a moment, with no warning.

Mike and the usual One Planet team are currently on a short break to prepare for the next series. But they'll be back the end of January. You can keep up to date with developments at One Planet HQ by joining in the conversation on Facebook - the link's below. Or alternatively, email the team at Oneplanet@bbc.com.

Available now

28 minutes

Last on

Sun 24 Jan 2010 23:30GMT

Broadcasts

  • Thu 21 Jan 2010 10:32GMT
  • Thu 21 Jan 2010 15:32GMT
  • Thu 21 Jan 2010 20:32GMT
  • Fri 22 Jan 2010 01:32GMT
  • Sat 23 Jan 2010 20:30GMT
  • Sun 24 Jan 2010 02:30GMT
  • Sun 24 Jan 2010 06:32GMT
  • Sun 24 Jan 2010 23:30GMT

麻豆社 World Service Archive

This programme was restored as part of the World Service archive project