Tectonics Case Studies

Question 1

Causes of Eyjafjallajokull eruption, Iceland 2010

Answer 1

The collision of basaltic magma with silica-rich trachyandesite magma within the volcano

Question 2

Death Toll of Eyjafjallajokull eruption, Iceland 2010

Answer 2

There were no deaths, there was just evacuations

Question 3

Primary impacts of Eyjafjallajokull eruption, Iceland 2010

Answer 3

800 people were evacuated. The volcano created huge amounts of heat, it led to the melting of vast amounts of ice. The ash that was also erupted created such ash cloud that the airspace above Europe was opaque blocking out sunlight

Question 4

Secondary impacts of Eyjafjallajokull eruption, Iceland 2010

Answer 4

Eruption melted ice, leading to flooding and road damage
Decline in air quality caused minor health problems
Initially boosted tourism
Closure of European airspace during eruption led to economic downturn

Question 5

Impacts on Europe: Eyjafjallajokull eruption, Iceland 2010

Answer 5

Ash cloud chaos gripped European air industry from April 14 to 21, 2010
Subsequent disruption to flights continued sporadically due to varying ash cloud intensity and weather
Ash clouds are perilous to aircraft, causing engine failure and severely limiting flights across Europe
Biggest flight disruption since 9/11

Question 6

Global impacts on car manufacturing and aviation: Eyjafjallajokull eruption, Iceland 2010

Answer 6

Aviation:

Airport closures stranded holidaymakers, causing businesses to suffer from lack of employees.
Estimated daily productivity loss reached €400 million.
European countries had to close or partially close airspace due to the ash cloud, costing the aviation industry over €1.1 billion.
110 million m3 of ash hindered safe aircraft operation, leaving tourists stranded.
Car manufacturing:

Volcanic ash disruption affected Nissan and BMW car production.
Grounded planes in Europe led to difficulties accessing parts, prompting suspension of production at some factories.

Question 7

Responses: Eyjafjallajokull eruption, Iceland 2010

Answer 7

● Air space was closed temporarily
● Sporting fixtures and concerts cancelled

Question 8

Causes of Indian Ocean tsunami, 2004

Answer 8

Underwater earthquake measuring 9.2 Richter scale struck off western coast of northern Sumatra, Indonesia.
Indonesia lies on destructive plate boundary where two plates converge.
Earthquake depth: 30km below sea level, caused by pressure along 1200km plate boundary.
Tsunami waves affected 15 countries around Indian Ocean, causing fatalities in 12 countries, including tourists from worldwide.

Question 9

Death Toll of Indian Ocean tsunami, 2004

Answer 9

● The total number lost is around 230,000

Question 10

Primary impacts of Indian Ocean tsunami, 2004

Answer 10

● More than 1500 villages have been lost
● 100 schools wrecked
● In Thailand 6 of 60 fishing boats remained intact
● Rail link between Colombo and Galle was destroyed
● Farmland contaminated by saltwate

Question 11

Secondary impacts of Indian Ocean tsunami, 2004

Answer 11

● Fear of epidemics and disease
● Affected the international tourism society, especially in Thailand
● Long lasting damage to infrastructure
● Contaminated drinking water
● Uninhabitable seawaters

Question 12

Impacts on surrounding countries of Indian Ocean tsunami, 2004

Answer 12

Loss of lives, homes, and communication disrupted or destroyed communities in economically poor Indian Ocean countries.
Bangladesh minimally affected by tsunami waves.
In Thailand, Mai Khao beach saw a 24-meter-high wave moving at high speed.
Seawater swamped around 16 coral atolls in the Maldives, rendering them uninhabitable for decades.

Question 13

Impacts on the environment of Indian Ocean tsunami, 2004

Answer 13

●Trees uprooted with bark and branches stripped with a height of 24 metres.
● Drinking water was contaminated by seawater, sewage and decaying corpses.
● Some areas of sea water became uninhabitable for decades.
● Salt deposited into soil makes it sterile for plants and microorganisms.
● Plant and animal life were severely damaged and contaminated.
● The shift of mass and release of energy caused by the earthquake slightly altered the earth’s rotation.

Question 14

Impacts on infrastructure of Indian Ocean tsunami, 2004

Answer 14

● 1500 villages lost
● 100 schools wrecked
● Building destroyed in many fishing villages ● Road and rail links were cut or blocked
● Long lasting damage to infrastructure (communications, sewers and water supply, etc)

Question 15

Responses of Indian Ocean tsunami, 2004

Answer 15

$6.25 billion donated for:
Search and rescue efforts
Emergency food and water distribution
Medical care provision
Temporary shelter
Infrastructure rebuilding and improvement
Job creation and support for small businesses

Authorities ordered quick burial or burning of the dead.
Food aid provided to millions.
Reconstruction ongoing.
International warning system established in the Indian Ocean.
Charities initiated small-scale sustainable development projects to aid recovery and assist local communities.

Question 16

Causes of Japanese Tohoku tsunami, 2011

Answer 16

Tsunami triggered by 9.0 magnitude earthquake on March 11, 2011.
Epicenter under ocean floor caused sudden vertical displacement of water, resulting in surges up to 500MPH in all directions.
Crisis at Fukushima nuclear power plant ensued as a consequence.

Question 17

Death Toll of Japanese Tohoku tsunami, 2011

Answer 17

15,767 deaths (5,712 injuries & 4,832 missing) 65.2% of the victims were aged 60 or over

Question 18

Primary impacts of Japanese Tohoku tsunami, 2011

Answer 18

45,700 buildings destroyed & 144,300 damaged 300 hospitals were damaged
1.5 million households left without water supplies & 4.4 million left with no electricity

Question 19

Secondary impacts of Japanese Tohoku tsunami, 2011

Answer 19

Tsunami caused by 5-8m upthrust along 180km seabed off Tohoku’s east coast, reaching 39m height and traveling 10km inland.
Flooding exacerbated by tsunami flow, causing local problems like in Wukaya.
Consequences:
Ports destroyed, disrupting shipping.
20,000 stranded in Tokyo, affecting commuting.
Tohoku agriculture devastated; 3-4% of Japan’s rice production affected by seawater contamination.
Nuclear plants damaged; 200,000 evacuated in Fukushima due to radiation, ongoing inability to return.
Radioactive elements found in water and soil, leading to energy crisis and blackouts.
Damage costs US$300 billion; Japan’s GDP shrinks by 3.7% in January-March 2011; 209 companies bankrupt.

Question 20

Impacts on humans and the economy of Japanese Tohoku tsunami, 2011

Answer 20

122,000 buildings collapsed, nearly 1 million other buildings half collapsed/partially damaged.
● Damage to railways and roads meant people couldn’t work.
● Additionally, 4 million people were left without electricity and 1.5 million people without water.
● People could not provide for themselves for a while after.
● Nearly 16,000 deaths, 6,000 injuries and 2,500 still missing.
● Insured losses cost up to $34.6 billion, the market severely declined, to combat this, Japan offered $183 billion to normalise the market conditions.
● The entire estimated cost to the world bank was $235 billion.
● Total damage and reparations cost $360 billion, making it the costliest disaster in history.
● Disruption to Japanese factories and course had an impact in the global trade of a range of component parts for consumer electronic goods, as well as higher order goods such as cars.

Question 21

Global impacts on natural gas of Japanese Tohoku tsunami, 2011

Answer 21

-The earthquake wiped 5-10% off the value of Japanese stock market, with global concern over Japan’s ability to recover.
In the longer term, the tsunami increased carbon emissions from Japan as the country moved more to fossil fuel-based energy production. The price of natural gas rose as demand from Japan entered the market.

Question 22

Global impact:Public Perceptions on nuclear power Japanese Tohoku tsunami, 2011

Answer 22

Tsunami highlighted nuclear power station vulnerability to natural hazards.
Other countries questioned safety of their own nuclear plants; Germany decided to decommission all 17 over ten years after Fukushima closure.
Suspicion arose as safety systems failed, leading to serious explosions and increased radiation release.
Caesium and iodine isotopes detected near plant; water and crops restricted.
Locals evacuated or left on their own.
Reporters, in protective clothing, allowed inside, revealing badly damaged buildings and rubble.
Damaged vehicles left uncleared heightened suspicion worldwide.

Question 23

Responses of Japanese Tohoku tsunami, 2011

Answer 23

Japan Meteorological Agency utilized Earthquake Early Warning system for earthquake and tsunami alerts.
Field surveys conducted to assess structural damage.
National recovery and reconstruction plan developed, emphasizing resilient communities.
Rescue services and army cleared roads; field hospitals and medical personnel deployed.
Temporary shelters built with army assistance.
Reconstruction Design Council initiated rebuilding efforts in hardest-hit areas.
Higher tsunami barriers constructed.
Japanese Red Cross received $1 billion aid, distributing 30,000 emergency relief kits and 14,000 sleeping kits.