EQ3 Flashcards
How has the number of tectonic events changed throughout history?
It has fluctuated annually.
Peak in 1997 and 2000.
Trough in the 1980’s.
There has been no significant overall change.
How have hydro-meteorological events changed throughout history?
They are increasing because of climate change.
How has number of disasters reported increased over time?
Increased significantly.
Peak in 2000.
Trough in 1964.
This is due to the instant exchange of info over the internet.
Media reports on more ‘sudden onset’ factors instead of larger, more continuous factors such as famine.
How has lives affected changed over time by tectonic hazards?
- Increased due to rapid urbanisation and population increase.
How has economic cost changed over time?
- Increased due to increasing global development.
What is the significance of tectonic disasters?
- 2.2% of fatalities from natural events were earthquakes in 20th century.
- 0.1% were volcanoes.
- Vulnerability increases the longer an event lasts. E.g., famine or drought.
What causes vulnerability?
A complex relationship between human and physical characteristics.
- poor response systems
- poverty.
- poor national development. E.g., Haiti 2010. Poor infrastructure.
Case Study: Gujarat earthquake
20,000 deaths
Minority groups weren’t given equal aid.
Case study: Pinatubo 1991
1991
- Tephra was ejected around the Indian ocean, therefore leading to the disruption of certain flights.
- 0.6 deg. of cooling for 3 years around the world.
- $100 million worth of damage.
Case Study: Eyjafjallajokull
- 100 million m3 of ash was ejected into the atmosphere. This disrupted over 10,000 flights over the Atlantic.
- Jet Stream influence on the ash caused this spread.
- $3 billion in overall costs.
- However, the lack of flights meant better air quality for some European airports.
Case Study: Tohoku 2011
- One person in California died due to destroyed docks.
- Radioactive sea water ended up in North America.
- Japan reduced its contribution to world industry.
- This change led to a 17cm wobble of the earth. (Smaller compared to hydro-meteorological influences)
- Germany phased out nuclear energy.
Case Study: Indian Ocean 2004 (Boxing Day Tsunami)
Directly impacted over 7 countries.
46 other countries were affected due to tourist deaths, impacting communities.
Case Study: The Philippines (Multiple Hazard Zone)
- 1000 inhabited islands.
- 102 mil. pop.
- Subduction zone around the Pacific
- 37 volcanoes
- WRI placed it as the 3rd most at-risk country in 2015.
- 74% of its pop. is exposed to two or more natural hazards.
- reported 555 natural hazards in 2015.
How is the government acting to protect the population of the Philippines?
- Disaster Risk Management Act
- removing illegal settlers out of hydro-meteorologically active zones.
- Aiming to map all faults.
Who are the key sources of international aid?
- EU
- World Bank
- United Nations
- Individual countries (E.g., UK, US, and Germany)