Top Case Studies

Question 1

2004 Asian Tsunami

Answer 1

• caused by EQ in Indian Ocean
• lots of tourism in Thailand unprepared = high death toll
• was no tsunami warning system in Indian Ocean (very vulnerable) now one has been put in place.
• $1.7 billion gov spending in relief & rehabilitation

Question 2

2010 Eyafjallajokull eruption in Iceland facts

Answer 2

• 4 on VEI scale
• coincided with jet stream = stopped flights through Europe
• 0 casualties

Question 3

2011 Japanese Earthquake & Tsunami facts

Answer 3

• caused by 4th most powerful earthquake
• 133ft high Tsunami
• 15800 dead
• $235 billion damage
• 3.5% decrease in GDP
• caused nuclear power plant explosion
• preparation training,

Question 4

Tectonic mega disaster case studies with regional/global significance in terms of economic & human impacts

Answer 4

• 2004 Asian Tsunami
• 2010 Eyafjallajokull eruption in Iceland (global interdependence)
• 2011 Japanese Tsunami (energy policy)

Question 5

2010 Iceland eruption

Social & economic impacts

Answer 5

Social impacts:

• respiratory symptoms of Iceland population near volcano
• 10 million passengers stranded due to flight cancellations

Economic impacts:

• Nissan plant in japan reduced production of cars
• African countries lost $65 million due to airspace shutdown on perishable exports (Kenyan flower industry)
• $1.7 billion loss for airline industry

Question 6

The Philippines (multiple hazard zone)

Answer 6

• 74% of population exposed to hazards
• most devastating recent earthquake & typhoon in 2013
• located on destructive plate boundary = many subduction zones
• lies in belt of tropical cyclones
• high population density with many living on coast = high vulnerability