Multi-hazard Environments

Question 1

Example?

Answer 1

The Philippines

Question 2

Characteristics of the Philippines?

Answer 2

Group of island in south-east Asia.

Densely populated, 340 people per km2

Question 3

How is it vulnerable to Volcanoes?

Answer 3

Philippines is near to destructive plate boundary. Philippine plate subducted beneath Eurasian plate.
E.g. Mt Pinatubo erupted 1991
- 700 died 
- 20000 left homeless 
- crops and agricultural land destroyed

Question 4

How is it Vulnerable to Seismic Hazards?

Answer 4

Earthquakes occur along plate line and fault lines.
E.g. Earthquake of 7.8 magnitude on the Luzon island 1990 killed over 1500 people.
This can also lead to Tsunamis, e.g. 1976 magnitude 7.9 causes tsunami to hit coast of Moro Gulf.

Question 5

How is it Vulnerable to Tropical Storms?

Answer 5

Around 10 per year. Develop in pacific over and travel over islands, little land to break storms.
E.g 2006 one hit Manila around 200 died, cost $130 million

Question 6

previous responses in the Philippines?

Answer 6

responses were only du to what people had experienced before.
- widening rivers, prevent flooding
- stockpiling food
Individuals and communities had to increase own resilience. Funding only available after event had occurred.

Question 7

Philippines response now?

Answer 7

2009 onwards, Philippines policy on disasters changed.

• Prevent people building in areas of high risk
• Adapting new and existing buildings to cope with earthquakes
• Building embankments to reduce flood risk
• Increase public awareness
• Monitoring hazards, early warning system