Tectonic hazards in contrasting countries and living with Tectonic hazards Flashcards
The Challenges of Natural Hazards - Tectonic Hazards
what is a country example that suffered an earthquake?
New Zealand
plate boundaries - destructive and conservative
magnitude - 7.8
what were primary effects of the New Zealand earthquake?
- 2 people died and 50+ people were injured
- 60 people needed emergency housing
- the total cost of damage was around US $8.5 billion
what were secondary effects of the New Zealand earthquake?
- major landslide blocked the Clarence River, flooding and the evacuation of 10 farms
- it triggered up to 100,000 landslides, blocking major road and rail routes
- earthquake generated a tsumani with waves of around 5m, leaving debris up to 250m inland
what are immediate responses of the New Zealand earthquake?
- 100+ people were housed in emergency shelters and community centres
- power was restored to most places within a few hours, temporary water supplies were set up
- international warships were sent to Kaikoura with supplies such as foods, medicine and portable toilets
what are long-term responses of the New Zealand earthquake?
- $3.5 million of funding was provided by Kaikoura District Council to help with rebuilding the town’s water systems
- most road and rail routes were repaired and reopening within 2 years
what is another example of a country that suffered an earthquake?
Nepal
plate boundary - destructive
magnitude - 7.8
what were primary effects of the Nepal earthquake?
- 4 million people were left homeless
- roads and bridges were destroyed
- the cost of damage was over US $5 billion
what were secondary effects of the Nepal earthquake?
- it triggered avalanches on Mount Everest which killed 18 people
- many mountain roads were blocked by landslides, preventing emergency aid from reaching
- lack of clean water caused outbreaks of typhus which killed at least 13 people
what are immediate responses of the Nepal earthquake?
- charities (oxfam) provided medicine, food and temporary water supplies
- people tried to recover the dead and treat injured, damaged roads made it hard for emergency aid to arrive
- the red cross set up emergency shelters for 130,000 families who had lost their homes
what are long-term responses of the Nepal earthquake?
- many heritage sites were reopened to encourage tourists back to the area
- water supply is being restored, but two years after the event, many people
- the world bank group financed $500 million worth of projects to build earthquake-resistant housing
why might people live in areas at risk from Tectonic hazards?
- they may not be able to afford to move anywhere else (no choice)
- they’ve always lived there, meaning leaving their jobs and families
- in wealthier countries, effective monitoring and evacuation plans can minimise risk
what are management strategies that can reduce the effects of Tectonic hazards?
- monitoring
- planning
- prediction
- protection
how is monitoring used?
earthquakes - seismometers monitor earth movements, used in early warning systems to give warning before an earthquake occurs
volcanic eruptions - scientists can monitor signs before an eruption, such as changes in the shape of a volcano
how is planning used?
- future developments can avoid high-risk areas
- emergency services can prepare
- governments can plan evacuation routes to get people away safely and quickly
how is prediction used?
earthquakes - can’t be reliably predicted but scientists can forecast where they might occur by monitoring the movement of tectonic plates
volcanic eruptions - can be predicted if scientists monitor it closely
