Volcano Flashcards
What were the primary impacts in Japan?
- 30km3 of ash waws released, damaging crops and causing poor visibility.
- Volcanic bombs were thrown over 3 km
what were the primary impacts in DRC?
- 12, 500 homes destroyed
- crops and livestock destroyed by lava flows
- lava covered 80% of airstrips at Goma International Airport
What is Japan’s GDP?
$4.97 trillion
What is DRC’s GDP?
£66.4 billion
What were the secondary impacts in Japan?
Negatives as well as positives:
- continual ashfall caused asthma
- acid rain due to poisonous gases damaged crops
- 40% of land surrounding is fertile volcanic soil- second largest tea producing region
- major tourist destination, creating jobs for locals and bringing money to the area
What were the secondary impacts in DRC?
- Cholera spread in refugee camps due to poor hygienic conditions
- Looting broke out in the evacuated city of Goma
Short term responses in Japan?
- residents told to evacuate is alert levels raised and are given evacuation cards to monitor who had left the island.
- ash bags are issued
- Residents wear masks and close windows during periods of high ashfall.
- areas close to the volcano are declared off-limits during high levels of activity
Short term responses in DRC?
Slow and disorganized
- 50,000 became stuck between two lava flows
- international aid arrival disrupted by damaged air port in Goma
- UN sent 260 tonnes of food
Oxfam sent 33 tonnes of water-cleansing equipment
Long term preparation in Japan?
- Annual disaster drills
- Multiple designated ports around the island available for evacuation
- Large concrete channels to divert lahars
Long term preparation in DRC?
Little prep due to developing country
- training community officers
- International federation of Red Cross has expressed more need for funding
How did Japan predict?
Monitored volcano:
- Aircraft fly above Sakurajima and measure gas given off
- Seismometers measure tremors
- Boreholes measure water temp
How did DRC predict?
- Use technology similar to Japan, yet this is heavily reliant on donations and investments
