Earthquakes occurred in Ecuador and Japan on April 16 and students of Middletown High School react to the disaster.

Students showed a level of surprise to the earthquake, terming it, “a horrible disaster.” One frequently asked question was whether or not the countries were prepared for the disaster.

While students said they saw the disaster as something that couldn’t have been anticipated, they thought that people living in the area should have been prepared for volcanic and tectonic activity to occur.

“Japan will react faster because they’ve dealt with that kind of thing before,” said MHS freshman Brady Rosner. He also said, “I think Ecuador will struggle at first, but through other nations’ response they will get back on their feet.”.

Some students, such as Rosner, reflected on the destruction that ensues after the tectonic activity and how many lives may be impacted. A truly terrible amount of destruction can occur when other countries aren’t prepared for a natural disaster with this much power.

Students also found it surprising that the two earthquakes of such magnitude occurred in such a short period of time. With only one day between Japan and Ecuador’s earthquakes, speculation must arise about a single cause.

“Might be a reaction. Could signify some coincidence with natural disaster…” said MHS junior Alexander Childris as he reflected this mentality.

Other students found the natural disaster as a means for countries to reach out and build each other up through meaningful cooperation.

“Governments should help clean up, search and rescue teams have been out nonstop,” said MHS freshman James Bonguard as he told about what he knew to be the situation in both Ecuador and Japan.

Bonguard also spoke about how the “U.S. government gave relief” to the two countries in an effort to help victims. The U.S. has been known for its help towards countries that suffer natural disasters in the past, and there is no difference between those disasters and these.