The challenge of natural hazards - case studies & examples Flashcards
Case Study: Where did the Italy (HIC) earthquake occur?
L’Aquila, Italy
Case Study: When did the Italy (HIC) earthquake occur?
6th April 2009
Case Study: What was the size of Italy (HIC) earthquake?
6.3 on the moment magnitude
Case Study: Name 5 primary effects of the Italy (HIC) earthquake
- Around 300 deaths, mostly from collapsed buildings
- 1500 people were injured
- Tens of thousands of buildings were damaged or destroyed
- Over 60,000 people were made homeless
- A bridge near the town of Fossa collapsed and a water pipe was broken near town of Paganica
Case Study: Name 4 secondary effects of the Italy (HIC) earthquake
- Aftershocks hampered recuse efforts and caused more damage
- Fires in some collapsed buildings caused more damage
- Electricity and phone services were interrupted though most were repaired within a day
- Broken water pipe near town of Paganica caused a landslide
Case Study: Name 4 immediate responses to the Italy (HIC) earthquake
- Camps were set up for people made homeless, providing water, food and medial care
- Cranes and diggers were used to remove rubble
- Ambulances, fire engines and army were sent to rescue survivors
- Money was provided by government to pay rent, and gas and electricity bills were suspended
- Free mobile phones and SIM cards were provided for people who had lost their homes
Case Study: Name 3 long-term responses to the Italy (HIC) earthquake
- New settlements were built to accommodate over 20,000 residents who used to live in damaged city centre
- Most of city centre is being rebuilt but there have been criticisms over delays
- An investigation was set up into why modern buildings weren’t built to withstand earthquakes
Case Study: Where did the Pakistan (LIC) earthquake occur?
Kashmir, Pakistan
Case Study: When did the Pakistan (LIC) earthquake occur?
8th October, 2005
Case Study: What was the size of Pakistan (LIC) earthquake?
7.6 on moment magnitude scale
Case Study: Name 5 primary effects of the Pakistan (LIC) earthquake
- Around 80,000 deaths, mostly from collapsed buildings
- Hundreds of thousands of buildings were damaged or destroyed, including whole villages
- Around 3 million people were made homeless
- Tens of thousands of people were injured
- Water pipelines and electricity lines were broken, cutting of supply
Case Study: Name 3 secondary effects of the Pakistan (LIC) earthquake
- Landslides buried buildings and people & blocked access to roads (and cut off water supplies, electricity supplies and telephone lines)
- Freezing winter conditions shortly after earthquake = casualties & recuse and rebuilding operations were difficult
- Diarrhoea and other diseases spread due to little clean water
Case Study: Name 3 immediate responses of the Pakistan (LIC) earthquake
- Tents, blankets and medical supplies were distributed - it took up to a month for them to reach most areas
- International aid and equipment such as helicopters and rescue dogs were brought in BUT help didn’t reach many
areas for days or weeks - Many people had to be rescued by hand without any equipment or help from emergency services
Case Study: Name 3 long-term responses of the Pakistan (LIC) earthquake
- Aid was given to rebuild schools and government money was given to people to rebuild their homes
- 40,000 people from one destroyed town have been
relocated to new settlement - However, many people had to use government money to buy food:
- After 3 years, thousands of people were still living in temporary tents
- Some schools were still not rebuilt 10 years after earthquake with pupils being taught outside
Case Study: Where did Hurricane Katrina strike?
Struck Mississippi & Louisiana, USA
Case Study: When did Hurricane Katrina occur?
August 2005
Case Study: Name 5 primary effects of Hurricane Katrina?
- More than 1800 people were killed
- 300,000 houses were destroyed
- Large areas were flooded, including 80% of New Orleans
- 3 million people were left without electricity
- Some bridges collapsed
- Coastal habitats were destroyed
Case Study: Name 4 secondary effects of Hurricane Katrina?
- Hundreds of thousands of people were made homeless
- 230,000 jobs were lost from damaged businesses
- Water supplies were polluted with sewage and chemicals
- Total cost of damage was estimated at $150 billion
Case Study: Name 4 immediate responses to Hurricane Katrina?
- 70-80% of New Orleans residents were evacuated before hurricane reached land
- Mississippi and Louisiana declared states of emergency - they set up control centres and emergency shelters, and stockpiled supplies
- Coastguard, police, fire service and army rescued over 50,000 people
- Charities collected donations and provided aid, including millions of hot meals
Case Study: Name 3 long-term responses to Hurricane Katrina?
- The US government provided over $16 billion for rebuilding of homes and provided funds to repair other essential infrastructure
- The US Army recommended that buildings are rebuilt on stilts or not rebuilt at all in very low-lying areas
- Repaired and improved flood defences for New Orleans costing $14.5 billion were completed in 2013
Case Study: Extreme Weather in the UK - name what happened, when it happened and why it happened?
- Long period of heavy snow and very cold weather across UK
- 25 November 2010 to 26 December 2010
- Cold air from Northern Europe and Siberia = 2 long period of very cold weather
Case Study: Extreme Weather in the UK - describe 3 social impacts
- Several people died from Hypothermia or accidents (losing control on icy roads)
- Schools closed several times - 7000 schools on 2nd December ∴ many parents had to leave work = look after children
- Water pipes froze and burst - when they thawed = pipes leaked → 40,000 homes & businesses across Northern Ireland left without water (some cases = over a week)
Case Study: Extreme Weather in the UK - describe 3 economic impacts
- Overall impact = £1.6 billion→ reduced UK’s GDP by 0.5%
- Transport networks = severely disrupted
- Christmas time = sales went down as shoppers were put off by weather
Case Study: Extreme Weather in the UK - describe how transport networks were severely disrupted (mention 4 things)
- Drivers were tapped in cars over 15 hours
- Some motorways shut e.g. part of M8 was closed for 2 days
- Trains and flights were cancelled
- People unable get to work = affects UK’s economy
Case Study: Extreme Weather in the UK - describe 3 environmental impacts
- Snow almost covered all of UK - to depth of over 50 cm in hilly locations
- Use of gas and electricity = more than 2x normal December = increase CO2 emissions
- Frost damaged crops e.g sugar beet
Case Study: Extreme Weather in the UK - Explain how the management strategy PREDICTION reduced the risk
- Warning systems = time for people to prepare for extreme weather
- e.g Met Office 1st warned about cold watcher at start of November
Case Study: Extreme Weather in the UK - Explain how the management strategy PROTECTION reduced the risk
- Individuals and local authorities prepared for extreme weather - before it happened
- e.g. councils stocked up on gritters and salt supplies to keep roads safe & open
← Although there were some shortages during cold spell
Case Study: Extreme Weather in the UK - Explain how the management strategy PLANNING reduced the risk
- Emergency services & local councils planned how to deal with extreme weathers
- e.g. plans to close schools when too dangerous to get there
