Paper 1 case studies Flashcards
When and where did the Soufriere Hills eruption happen?
Monsterrat, 1995-97
What were the primary impacts of the Soufriere Hills eruption?
- Over 2/3 of the island was covered in volcanic ash, this included the capital city Plymouth.
- 19 people were killed by the pyroclastic flows, they refused to follow evacuation orders.
- Buildings and important infrastructure, including the only hospital and airport, were destroyed by the eruption.
What were the secondary impacts of the Soufriere Hills eruption?
- 50% of the population were evacuated from their homes. Evacuees lived in unhygienic, cramped temporary accommodation.
- Housing shortages lead to a 70% increase in rent.
- Population fell from 12,000 in 1995 to 1,500 by 2001. Many of those evacuated from the south of the island eventually emigrated to nearby islands or the UK.
- The island suffered serious skills shortages due to the mass emigration from theisland in the years to follow.
What were the immediate responses to the Soufriere Hills eruption?
-5,000 people were evacuated to the safe zone in the north of the island.
-Charities uch as the Red Cross were important in organising evacuation plans.
-The UK govermnament sent £42 million in immediate relief aid, this also included emergency food and water purification tablets.
The US Governmet sent over troops to assist in the evacuation plans. This involved moving over 5000 people from their homes.
What were long-term responses to the Soufriere Hills eruption?
- Islanders were offered £2,500 each to relocate and live permanently in the UK.
- An exclusion zone was created within the south of the island.
- The island is promoting ‘volcano tours’ in an effort to attract tourists back to Monsterrat. However, the new airport only has capacity for 20 seater planes.
- A new capital city has been created in the north of the isalnd called ‘Little Bay’.
- Permanet monitioring stations have been positioned all over the island.
- The UK sent an additional £75 million to assist in the long term development plans. This included the creation of houses, schools and medical centres.
When and where did Mt. St. Helen’s erupt?
Washington state, USA, May 1980
What were the primary impacts of the Mt St Helen’s eruption?
- The initial blast completely destroyed the upper 390m of the volcano.
- The volcano released 540 million tonnes of ash over a period of 9h which landed in over 7 US states.
- Poisonous gases released by the eruption seeped into local water supplies. Spirit Lake was filled with mud and ash.
- The heat instantly vaporised glacial ice and snow.
- The blast of rock, ice and ash wiped out all living things within a 15-mile radius, including 57 people and 230sq. miles of forest.
What were the secondary impacts of the Mt St Helen’s eruption?
- A volvanic layer swept down the landscape at speeds of up to 90mph. The lahar destroyed 15 miles of railway and 185 miles of road.
- Total costs of damage were estimated to reach $1.1b.
- Mt St Helen’s is a better-known area today. the area was designated a national monument and now attracts over 3 million visitors annually.
- 12 million salmon died as a result of water contamination in the area.
What were the immediate responses to the eruption of Mt St Helen’s?
- An exclusion zone was set up in March when the valcano started to show signs of a big eruption.
- The National Guard provided over 2 million gas masks, emergency food rations and clean water supplies to local residents.
- Immediately after the blast, the US government mobilised helicopters to start the search and rescue for those trapped by the destruction. Helicopters flew for 2 weeks and managed to rescue 130 people.
- Ash was cleared on all major communication routes such as the roads leading into Yakima within 3 days. This was done to allow emergency traffic flows.
What were the long term responses to Mt St Helen’s eruption?
- Following the emergency clear up operation, the main focus became the replanting of the forest which has been flattened in the blast. Over 10 million trees were replanted at a cost of $300 million.
- $1.4 million was specifically spent transforming the area for the purpose of attracting tourists.
- The volcano is now monitored constantly by the USGS.
When and where did Typhoon Haiyan take place?
The Philippines, 2-11 Nov 2013
Describe the location of the Philippines
The Philippines are a series of islands located in the South China Sea, east of Vietnam and north of Indonesia. The capital of the Philippines is Malina.
Describe Typhoon Haiyan
- Winds of up to 195mph
- As much as 400mm of rain fell
- The typhoon caused a 5m storm surge with waves of up to 15m.
What were the primary effects of Typhoon Haiyan?
- Over 6000 deaths, mostly from the strom surge.
- 90% of Tacloban city was destroyed.
- The Philippine goverment estimated that about 71,000 hectares of farmnland were affacted.
What were the secondary effects of Typhoon Haiyan?
- Almost 2 million people were made homeless.
- Diseases such as Cholera spread after the storm due to a lack of clean water, shelter and medication.
- Less affected areas reported that their populations more than doubled after the typhoon with refugees moving into the city.
