Multi-hazard Environment, Philippines

Question 1

Physical location of the Philippines

Answer 1

South-east Asia
Made up of 7000 islands
5-20 degrees north of the equator

Question 2

Risk of the Philippines population

Answer 2

Population of 100 million
People are more vulnerable due to poverty and lack of education
High proportion of the population live near the coast
11 million live in coastal city Manila (densely populated)

Question 3

Why does the Philippines location make it vulnerable to seismic hazards, volcanic hazards and tropical storms?

Answer 3

Lies on the pacific ‘ring of fire’
Lies on a regular path of tropical storms
Warm seas above 26 degrees
Strong coriolus effect

Question 4

Economic factors increasing risk

Answer 4

Low GDP capita- $8400 compared to $59,000 in USA
40% work in the informal sector
Southern Philippines 75% live in poverty

Question 5

Economic loss due to natural hazards in the Philippines

Answer 5

79% from tropical storms
Flooding accounted for 17.3%

Question 6

Mortality losses in Philippines from natural hazards

Answer 6

Tropical storms- 78.9%
Earthquakes- 7.9%

Question 7

How many typhoons does the Philippines experience each year?

Answer 7

7-10

Question 8

Typhoons in the Philippines example

Answer 8

Typhoon Haiyan 2013- over 6000 fatalities
2 million homeless
30,000 fishing boats destroyed

Question 9

Earthquakes in the Philippines
How many occur?

Answer 9

Philippine plate and the Eurasian plate become locked as the Philippine plate is being subducted
Between 2000-2013 there were 17 earthquakes

Question 10

Earthquake in Philippine example

Answer 10

1990 Luzon Island
Magnitude 7.8
Killed over 1600 people
Widespread ground rupture and liquefaction

Question 11

Landslides in the Philippines example

Answer 11

2006 landslide on Leyte Island
Following 10 days heavy rain
Buried a village and killed hundreds

Question 12

Volcanic eruption Philippines

Answer 12

1991 Mount Pinatubo
Killed 500
Crop failure due to falling ads
Global temperature decreased by half a degree for two years due to steam and gas in the atmosphere

Question 13

Flooding Philippines example

Answer 13

December 2010 floods in the Eastern Philippines followed heavy rainfall, which resulted in displacing 450,000 people in 19 provinces, killing 25.

Question 14

Droughts Philippines example

Answer 14

In 2005 drought affected Luzon Island, whereby a reduction in rainfall decreased river discharge, which decreased economic activity in the area due to a lack of hydroelectric power.

Question 15

How many natural hazards has the Philippines experienced over the past two decades

Answer 15

300

Question 16

What changes have happened in the Philippines to increase the risk of vulnerability

Answer 16

Rapid urbanisation
Climate change
Growth of poor quality, densely packed housing near the coast
Deforestation increases risk of landslides

Question 17

Role played by local people responding to hazards in the Philippines

Answer 17

-rebuilding homes added hazard eg. Following typhoon Haiyan 2013 ‘ cash for work’ schemes
-local people adapt homes to protect against disasters eg. Elevated floors, locating appliances upstairs

Question 18

Role played for government in responding to natural hazards in the Philippines

Answer 18

-Red Cross is supporting the use of hazard mapping to reduce risk
-aid agencies frequently pay a significant role in disaster relief and recovery after major events
-projects are engaged in designing low-cost typhoon resistant housing eg. Bamboo structures