Tectonic Hazards Influencing Food Production And Distribution

Question 1

Volcanic activity on livestock and arable production

Economic,social and environmental

Answer 1

( enviro and economic) Volcanic ash can destroy pasture land = livestock need to be supplied with alternative feed to remain alive in the short term

Ash can contain fluorine - causes fluorosis when consumed by livestock

In 996, 2000 animals died following a volcanic eruption near mount Ruapehu in NZ

2002- mt Etna Italy erupted and and resulted in a light ash fall which stuck to citrus fruits - crop was destroyed as it was too expensive to clean

Half of the orange crop in the province of Catania was destroyed

80% of vegetable crops were lost and 75% of seasonal harvesting Jobs

Overall cost of the region = 140 million euros

Question 2

Tectonics have interrupted distribution

Answer 2

Secondary impact

Remote communities where transport links are poor

1998 earthquake of Afghan - mountainous, landlocked environment meant bridges and transport was damaged and destroyed and food distribution became a concern

Helicopters provided foreign aid operations to distribute emergency food aid

Nepal 2015 - similar difficulties in food distribution became an issue for a period of time as governments of poor countries cannons rebuild communication links

Question 3

Nepal earthquake 2015 on food production and distribution

Answer 3

April

7.8 Mw

8000 people died

35 million people in need of emergency food aid

FAO appealed for disaster aid to help Nepalese farmers resume rice farming ahead of the growing season

Other impacts;

• may farmers missed planting season and were unable to harvest rice ( staple food of the country)
• wheat and Maize stocks were destroyed
• livestock killed
• machinery damaged

Markets could not function with widespread damage to roads and bridges

• loss of income for farmers ( gov do not have the funding to reimburse
• damage to vital irrigation and drainage channels