Hazards Case Studies Flashcards

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1
Q

Where is Eyjafjallajökull located? - Volcanic Hazards

A

Eyjafjallajökull is located in Iceland, along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, in a fairly rural section of the country. 125km from Reykjavik, ice caps top the volcano.

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2
Q

When did Eyjafjallajökull erupt? What hazards were INITIALLY generated by this? - Volcanic Hazards

A

Eyjafjallajökull erupted in April 2010. Lava flows began flowing to the North-East of the volcano, while initially a small ash ejection began.

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3
Q

On what date did Eyjafjallajökull begin to erupt more violently? What impacts followed this violent eruption? - Volcanic Hazards

A

Eyjafjallajökull began to erupt violently on the 14th April 2010, ejecting fine, glass-rich ash into the atmosphere at over 8km in height.

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4
Q

What level on the volcanic explosivity index did Eyjafjallajökull reach in its most violent phase? - Volcanic Hazards

A

Eyjafjallajökull reached level 4 on the volcanic explosivity index in its more violent phase.

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5
Q

What primary impacts were generated by the eruption of Eyjafjallajökull IN ICELAND? - Volcanic Hazards

A

Eyjafjallajökull led to the melting of glacial ice which caused flooding in local areas, saw ash fall on local farmland which prevented grazing, harvesting and farming, blocked local roads, closed Reykjavik Airport.

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6
Q

What international impacts were there from the eruption of Eyjafjallajökull? (How many flights cancelled, how many people affected?) - Volcanic Hazards

A

Eyjafjallajökull’s eruption saw major international disruption as ash fallout was exploded into the jet stream, which affected European airspace. 100,000 flights were cancelled and 10 million people were impacted.

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7
Q

What (negative) secondary environmental and (positive) secondary economic impacts resulted from the eruption of Eyjafjallajökull? - Volcanic Hazards

A

Environmental: ash production from the eruption resulted in eye irritations and dry throats. Ash mixed with flood waters to create lahars which channelled into rivers.
Economic: initial tourism created by minor eruptions, with 10,000 people visiting by April 2010. Tourism did decline into the Summer.

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8
Q

What immediate local responses were there to the eruption of Eyjafjallajökull? - Volcanic Hazards

A

800 people were evacuated from the area due to flood risk, farmers had to keep livestock indoors to protect them from ash, gaps were created in road in order to release water and reduce infrastructure stress, schools were closed.

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9
Q

What immediate international responses were there to the eruption of Eyjafjallajökull? - Volcanic Hazards

A

A six day shutdown of airspace ensued in order to reduce risk to planes as a result of the ash cloud, the Royal Navy collected soldiers returning from Afghanistan (as well as holiday makers in Spain).

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10
Q

What long-term responses were there to the eruption of Eyjafjallajökull? - Volcanic Hazards

A

Local roads and flood defences were reconstructed, Katla (neighbouring volcano) monitored due to being overdue an eruption, tourist attractions were created at Eyjafjallajökull, insurance companies reviewed ash cloud policies.

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11
Q

How much money did international airlines lose from the eruption of Eyjafjallajökull? How much money did UK travel agents lose per day? - Volcanic Hazards

A

Airlines lost £1.2bn as a consequence of the eruption, while UK travel agents lost £6m per day.

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12
Q

What impacts on international travel and events did the eruption of Eyjafjallajökull have? - Volcanic Hazards

A

Saw the cancellation of the Japanese Motorcycle Grand Prix and Boston Marathon, meant teachers and students could not return from holidays.

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13
Q

When did the Nepal earthquake take place? What was the magnitude of this earthquake? - Seismicity

A

The Nepal earthquake took place in April 2015, with it being a 7.8 magnitude earthquake.

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14
Q

How far away from Kathmandu did the Nepal earthquake take place? What direction? - Seismicity

A

The Nepal earthquake took place 80km from Kathmandu in a NE direction.

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15
Q

What 2 plates made up the Nepal earthquake boundary? What type of plate margin is this? - Seismicity

A

The Nepal earthquake boundary is made up of the Indo-Australian Plate and the Eurasian Plate.

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16
Q

How did Kathmandu’s geology and built environment contribute to the impacts of the earthquake? - Seismicity

A

Geology: built atop river sediments, which amplify the shaking and cause liquefaction.
Built environment: the infrastructure in Kathmandu is poorly built and vulnerable to shaking.

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17
Q

How many people were killed by the Nepal earthquake? How many were injured? - Seismicity

A

9,000 killed

23,000 injured

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18
Q

How many houses in Nepal were damaged or destroyed? - Seismicity

A

700,000 houses in Nepal were damaged or destroyed.

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19
Q

What was the value of damage caused by the Nepal earthquake? (In dollars) - Seismicity

A

The Nepal earthquake caused $5.17bn worth of damage.

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20
Q

How many landslides were caused by the Nepal earthquake? How many people died in an avalanche on Everest? - Seismicity

A

5000 landslides were caused by the Nepal earthquake, with 19 dying on Everest.

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21
Q

How many people were still in substandard accommodation a year after the Nepal earthquake? - Seismicity

A

A year after the earthquake, 4 million people lived in substandard accommodation.

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22
Q

What general impacts were there from the Nepal earthquake? (Health, tourism, agriculture) - Seismicity

A

Health: clean drinking water availability fell in rural areas.
Tourism: loss of tourism revenues
Agriculture: damage to agricultural production

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23
Q

How much financial aid did the UN give to Nepal? How much did the UK give? - Seismicity

A

UN: $15m
UK: £73m

24
Q

What % of Nepal’s military was deployed in response to the Nepal earthquake? - Seismicity

A

90% of Nepal’s military was deployed in response to the earthquake.

25
Q

What involvement did NGOs have in supplying emergency aid to Nepal? - Seismicity

A

NGOs brought emergency supplies, such as UNICEF supplying hygiene kits, water purification tablets and nutritional foods. Also helped evacuate and save people from fallen structures.

26
Q

How much money did the World Bank grant to Nepal? How many families did this assist in rebuilding houses? - Seismicity

A

The World Bank granted $200m to Nepal, allowing 100,000 families to rebuild houses.

27
Q

How did Oxfam contribute to the long-term responses to the Nepal earthquake? - Seismicity

A

Oxfam set up ‘cash for work’ schemes which paid local people for undertaking reconstruction work and the rebuilding of infrastructure.

28
Q

When did Hurricane Katrina occur? What category of storm was this and what was its maximum wind speed? - Storm Hazards

A

Hurricane Katrina occurred in August 2005. This was a 3/4/5 Category storm, reaching speeds of 200 mph.

29
Q

How many people were killed by Hurricane Katrina? How many people were displaced? - Storm Hazards

A

1836 people were killed by Hurricane Katrina, while 800,000 people were displaced.

30
Q

What was the cost of property damage caused by Hurricane Katrina? - Storm Hazards

A

$81bn of property damage was caused by Hurricane Katrina.

31
Q

What % of New Orleans was flooded in Hurricane Katrina? What % of houses were flooded? - Storm Hazards

A

80% of New Orleans was flooded in Hurricane Katrina, with 60% of houses flooded.

32
Q

What height was the storm surge caused by Hurricane Katrina? - Storm Hazards.

A

Hurricane Katrina caused a 10m storm surge.

33
Q

What secondary social, economic and environmental impacts were there from Hurricane Katrina? - Storm Hazards

A

Social: houses were ransacked, racial tensions and inequality exposed by impacts.
Economic: loss of earnings and creation of unemployment, $81bn cost of damage.
Environmental: oil refineries and rigs were damaged, 16 wildlife refuges closed due to damage.

34
Q

What attempts at mitigation were there prior to Hurricane Katrina making landfall? - Storm Hazards

A

The storm was predicted and tracked to allow a response to be prepared. A mandatory evacuation was ordered and a state of emergency was declared by Bush 2 days prior to landfall.

35
Q

What aid was provided to assist the recovery from Hurricane Katrina? - Storm Hazards

A

$60bn of federal funds was assigned for the recovery effort, Kuwait gave $500m worth of aid, India sent basic supplies, 275 shelters were set up by the American Red Cross.

36
Q

What long-term responses were there to Hurricane Katrina? - Storm Hazards

A

Flood defences were rebuilt, 10,000 homes leased to displaced families, funding provided for environmental cleanup operations, many permanently left New Orleans, oil and gas refineries were repaired.

37
Q

When did Typhoon Haiyian take place? What category of storm was this and what wind speeds did this reach? - Storm Hazards

A

Typhoon Haiyan took place in November 2013, being a category 5 storm with 300km/h wind speeds.

38
Q

How many people were killed by Typhoon Haiyan? How many were missing? How many were made homeless? - Storm Hazards

A

Typhoon Haiyan killed 6000 people and left 1000 missing. 2 million people ended up homeless.

39
Q

What primary impacts occurred from Typhoon Haiyan? - Storm Hazards

A

Tacloban airport was destroyed, communication and power lines were felled, a 5m storm surge hit the Philippines, local ecosystems were hit by sewage and oil leaks, rice and coconut crops were destroyed, harming exports.

40
Q

What were secondary impacts from Typhoon Haiyan? - Storm Hazards

A

Major cost of recovery and rebuilding, looting took place in Tacloban, fishing equipment was damaged to harm food supplies, landslides and flooding blocked roads and restricted aid provision, farming land was devastated.

41
Q

What was the total cost of damage caused by Typhoon Haiyan? - Storm Hazards

A

Typhoon Haiyan’s damage cost $2.1bn

42
Q

What were short-term responses to Typhoon Haiyan? - Storm Hazards

A

A state of national calamity was declared in the Philippines, WHO medical aid ensured that cholera and dysentery remained isolated, Tacloban Airport was rebuilt to aid the relief effort.

43
Q

How much money did the UN donate in emergency funds to help the recovery after Typhoon Haiyan? How many tonnes of aid did the UK supply? - Storm Hazards

A

The UN donated $25m in emergency funds, while the UK donated 200,000 tonnes of aid.

44
Q

What involvement did NGOs have in the long-term responses to Typhoon Haiyan? - Storm Hazards

A

The Red Cross was involved in rebuilding efforts through cash for work schemes, Oxfam provided grants to repair and buy boats to aid fishing industries, Save the Children built tented schools to continue education.

45
Q

What long-term responses were there to Typhoon Haiyan? - Storm Hazards

A

Mangroves were planted along the coast to diminish the risk of a storm surge, the UN Development Programme worked with government to improve disaster management policies, cash for work schemes were organised to coordinate relief efforts, fishing industries were supported.

46
Q

When did the Alberta wildfire take place? - Fires in Nature

A

The Alberta wildfire took place between May and July 2016. CANADA’S COSTLIEST DISASTER IN HISTORY.

47
Q

How did the wind direction and climactic conditions contribute to the Alberta wildfire respectively? - Fires in Nature

A

Wind direction: change in wind direction resulted in spread of fire towards Fort McMurray.
Climactic conditions: El Niño event resulted in dry Autumn/Winter seasons and warm spring.

48
Q

How did temperatures/wind and the fire itself contribute to the Alberta wildfire respectively? - Fires in Nature

A

Temperatures/wind: over 30°C temperatures and winds of 72km/h created perfect conditions for wildfires.
Fire itself: created own weather patterns and lightning, which further ignited fires.

49
Q

What social impacts were there of the Alberta wildfire? - Fires in Nature

A

2400 houses were destroyed, businesses were lost, 90,000 were evacuated, power supplies were disrupted, water supplies were contaminated when untreated water was introduced to assist firefighters.

50
Q

How many people were killed from the Alberta wildfire? How many were evacuated? - Fires in Nature

A

0 people were killed from the Alberta wildfire. 90,000 were evacuated.

51
Q

What economic impacts were there from the Alberta wildfire? - Fires in Nature

A

$9bn of damage caused to Fort McMurray, 1.2m of barrels of oil lost/day for 2 weeks, costliest disaster in Canadian history, impacted global price of oil.

52
Q

What was the cost of damage to Fort McMurray from the Alberta wildfire? - Fires in Nature

A

$9bn of damage was caused to Fort McMurray.

53
Q

What were environmental impacts of the Alberta wildfire? - Fires in Nature

A

600,000 ha of land was burned, toxic air pollution from burning cars/buildings/factories, scorched forests damaged ecosystems, 500 species lost their habitats, mercury and lead detected in water supplies.

54
Q

How many hectares of land were lost from the Alberta wildfire? How many species lost habitats? - Fires in Nature

A

600,000 ha of land were lost from the Alberta wildfire. 500 species lost habitats.

55
Q

What were short term responses to the Alberta wildfire? - Fires in Nature

A

90,000 people were evacuated from the area, the fire was tracked and monitored with satellite data, a state of emergency was declared, shelters and food were offered to evacuees, emergency services mobilised.

56
Q

What % of Fort McMurray was saved by the response to the Alberta wildfire? - Fires in Nature

A

85% of Fort McMurray was saved by the Alberta wildfire response.

57
Q

What were long term responses to the Alberta wildfire? - Fires in Nature

A

Public transport schemes were repaired, increased government investment was made in disaster management schemes, Canadian Red Cross donated to businesses, evacuees were given funds to cover living expenses, air and water quality was monitored.