5.7- Case study of a multi-hazardous environment

Question 1

What is the case study for a multi-hazardous environment?

Answer 1

the Philippines

Question 2

Describe the location of the Philippines

Answer 2

a group of islands in SE Asia

Question 3

why is the Philippines at risk from volcanic hazards?

Answer 3

• Philippines is near to a major destructive plate boundary- Philippine plate is being subducted under the Eurasian plate
• also, settlements have been built in vulnerable areas when Mt Pinatubo was dormant

Question 4

why is the Philippines at risk from seismic hazards?

Answer 4

• earthquakes are a regular occurrence in the Philippines due to the complex nature of the plate margins and faults close by
• it is located along the border of two tectonic plates on the ‘Pacific ring of fire’

Question 5

Philippines gets hit with earthquakes over _ on the Richter scale every year

Answer 5

6

Question 6

Why is the Philippines particularly at risk of storm hazards?

Answer 6

Philippines is hit with more than 20 tropical storms per year- they develop in the Pacific Ocean and move Westward over the islands

Question 7

outline how population density and distribution in the Philippines increases the vulnerability of its people

Answer 7

Manila and the island of Luzon are very densely populated which increase the disaster risk- also a coastally distributed population which increases the vulnerability to hydro-meteorological hazards

Question 8

Widespread deprivation means

Answer 8

there is a low capacity to cope

Question 9

Identify a major social impact

Answer 9

700 people died resulting from Mt Pinatubo in 1990s

Question 10

Identify a major economic impact

Answer 10

Crops were destroyed and agricultural land was ruined by falling ash risking people’s livelihoods resulting from Mt Pinatubo

Question 11

Identify a major environmental impact

Answer 11

Devastating Moro Gulf earthquake caused a tsunami wiping out majority of infrasturctures, destroying habitats and ecosystems along with the issues of salination of water bodies

Question 12

give an example to show how people have adapted to the risks posed by their environment

Answer 12

Communities understand the risks having experienced them before and so people prepare for hazards e.g. by widening rivers near settlements to prevent flooding and people also stockpile food in order to increase their resilience and adapting buildings to help withstand earthquakes

Question 13

Before 2009 funding was available for disasters after the event. This led to a reactionary focus rather than a focusing on prevention and preparation and so now

Answer 13

The Philippines policy towards natural hazards has changed; working towards large scale resilience to disasters through adaptation, mitigation and management with strategies including: embankments to reduce risk of flooding and prevent building in high-risk/prone areas

Question 14

will there be any future change for the Philippines?

Answer 14

• In terms of future change, volcanic and seismic events are unlikely to increase in either frequency or magnitude
• however, the number of people exposed to the hazard risk is likely to increase with population growth and urbanisation
• urbanisation can lead to deforestation in upland areas for agriculture, this reduces interception and therefore reduces lag time- increased risk of landslides and flooding. It is likely that an increase in ocean temperatures will make storms more intense, thus making coastal populations more vulnerable