Tectonics Case Studies

Question 1

LIC Earthquake

Answer 1

Nepal 2015, between Indian and Eurasian plates, 7.8 magnitude
8600 killed, lost 25% of GDP
Himalayas= mountainous area= landslides
Weak infrastructure- not earthquake proof
Occurred in Kathmandu= densely populated

Question 2

HIC earthquake

Answer 2

Tohoku, Japan 2011, secondary hazard of tsunami
9.0 magnitude east of Sendai
Subduction zone at Pacific and Eurasian plate
Tsunamis 10 and 20 metres high
$300 billion loss
Fukushima nuclear power station flooded- long-term evacuation to prevent a nuclear disaster and has severe impact on human health for years after exposure

Question 3

Volcanic eruption

Answer 3

Eyjafjallajokull eruption in Iceland 2010
Flights cancelled (clogged engines from ash)- 100K worldwide, 10 million passengers stranded
Pyroclastic flows- Jokullhaps due to melting of snow and ice causing flooding

Question 4

Tsunami

Answer 4

2004 Indian Ocean
9-9.3 magnitude
300K dead
No warning systems
Epicentre close to communities
$10 billion costs