Natural Hazards (Case Study) Multi-Hazard Environment Flashcards
What volcanic activity is present in the Philippines?
Near to a destructive plate boundary, where the Philippine plate is being subducted beneath the Eurasian plate.
Mount Pinatubo erupted in 1991, more than 700 people died, around 200,000 were left homeless, and agricultural land was ruined by falling ash.
What seismic hazards are present in the Philippines?
Earthquakes occur along plate boundary and at fault lines where the plate has cracked under pressure.
An earthquake of magnitude 7.8 occurred on Luzon island in 1990, killing over 1500 people.
In 1976, an earthquake of magnitude 7.9 caused a tsunami that hit the coastline around the Moro Gulf. Thousands were killed and several cities were devastated.
What tropical storms does the Philippines experience?
Has around 10 tropical storms every year.
Develop in the Pacific Ocean and move westwards over the islands.
Typhoon Xangsane swept across Manila and the surrounding densely populated area in 2006. High winds and torrential rain meant around 200 people died, and the total cost of the tropical storm was over US $130 million.
Why are the human qualities so important in the Philippines?
Despite the risk of disasters, the Philippines is densely populated, around 340 people per km^2. Communities often understand the risks of hazards, having experienced them before. In many cases people prepare for hazards themselves, by widening rivers near settlements to prevent flooding, and by stockpiling food. The individuals and communities increase their own resilience.
How has the Philippines policy on disaster changed?
From 2009 onwards, the country is now working to create large-scale resilience to disasters by adaptation, mitigation and management.
What are the strategies included in the new disaster policy?
Preventing people building in areas at high risk of disaster.
Adapting new and existing buildings and other structures to cope with earthquakes.
Building embankments to reduce flood risk from tsunamis and tropical storms.
Increasing public awareness of hazards and how to respond to them.
Monitoring hazards and developing early warning systems so people in at-risk areas have time to prepare.
