Global Hazards

Question 1

Typhoon Haiyan Locational

Answer 1

• Typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines in November 2013
• Categorised as a Category 5 super typhoon, reaching wind speeds of over 170mph

Question 2

Typhoon Haiyan Responses

Answer 2

• (short) The Philippines meteorology agency broadcast warnings leading to the evacuation of approximately 750,000 residents
• (Long) Aid agencies such as Oxfam supported the replacement of 30,000 fishing boats, a vital source of income and nutritious food. Improved food security, as a wider range of people had greater availability and accessibility to food, estimated they provided aid for 800,000 victims
• (long) The United Nations launched an international aid appeal in December 2013 for £480 million to finance the humanitarian relief effort for 2014

Question 3

Typhoon Haiyan Effects

Answer 3

• Overall economic impact is estimated at $5.8billion, with 6million workers losing their sources of income
• More than 7000 people killed, 1.9million people were left homeless and 6million displaced
• Over 10,000 trees were uprooted leading to a large release of carbon and loss of habitat with some resulting effects on wildlife

Question 4

UK Heatwave Locational

Answer 4

• The UK is an island in the North Atlantic Ocean to the North of France
• Population of 67million
• High pressure zone across UK in 2015

Question 5

UK Heatwave Responses

Answer 5

• Network Rail instructed train companies to slow down at vulnerable locations where tracks could buckle because of the heat
• A level 3 Health Alert was declared for all parts of England
• The NHS provided guidance to the public on how to cope with the heatwave. Advice on staying hydrated, avoiding overexertion and using sun lotion

Question 6

UK Heatwave impacts

Answer 6

• The heat triggered thunderstorms and torrential downpours across parts of northern England and Scotland. This caused localised flash flooding.
• There was a huge increase (2x) in unplanned work leave, causing a decrease in productivity for hundreds of businesses, even forcing some to shut down temporarily
• Hot weather was a contributing factor to a large fire which consumed about 30acres of Thetford Forest

Question 7

Haiti Earthquake Locational

Answer 7

• Haiti lies right in the boundary of the Caribbean and North American Plates
• In January 2010, a magnitude 7 earthquake hit Haiti
• Earthquakes epicentre was 25km west of the capital

Question 8

Haiti Earthquake effects

Answer 8

• 3million people affected with 220,000 deaths and 300,000 injured
• 60% of the city’s government buildings and 80% of its schools were damaged or destroyed
• It cost $8.5billion in damages and 30,000 commercial buildings collapsed

Question 9

Haiti Earthquake Response

Answer 9

• (primary) Emergency rescue teams arrived from countries such as Iceland to help injured people under wreckage and trapped people
• (primary) Neighbouring Dominican Republic provided emergency water and medical supplies as well as heavy machinery to help with search and rescue
• (secondary) After one year, there were still 1300 camps set up which gave people shelter and warmth while their homes were being rebuilt and possessions were being returned