Rebuild Port-au-Prince?

Or is it better for Haiti to start over with a new capital away from the earthquake zone?

Haitian seismologist Claude Prepetit, who predicted last month's earthquake, is warning that an even stronger one could hit Port-au-Prince within 20 years. Given this threat, should Haiti and the international community rebuild the country's devastated capital, home to more than 2 million people, on the same spot — or move it to a new, safer location? (Watch a CBS report about relief efforts in Port-au-Prince)

The capital must be moved: It might make sense to rebuild the capital on the spot if Haiti could expect 200 years of calm before the next disaster, says geologist Tim Dixon, as quoted in Time. But "our findings suggest another shoe has to drop," soon, and closer to Port-au-Prince. The responsible thing to do is move the capital to the north, out of harm's way.

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.

Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.

Sign up
Latest Videos FromThe Week