1.7 - Trends And Patterns

Question 1

What is the trend of global disasters

Answer 1

• The number of recorded disasters has increased significantly since 1960
• One reason for this is the increasing population (from 3 billion in 1960 to over 8 billion since), therefore more people are likely to be impacted by any hazard and the increased population density increases the vulnerable population
• However, most of the increase has been the result of floods and extreme weather rather than tectonic disasters

Question 2

What id the recent trends of TECTONIC disasters

Answer 2

• The number of tectonic disasters has fluctuated since 1960 but has generally remained steady
• The slight increase in the number of earthquake disasters does not mean there have been more earthquakes or higher magnitude earthquakes. It results from:
• Greater urbanisation leads to higher population densities and increased building density
• Population growth means more people are living in earthquake-prone regions

Question 3

What is the recent trends in the number of deaths form all hazards and why has this happened

Answer 3

• The number of deaths resulting from all hazards has decreased since 1960
• This is the result of:
• Improved building construction, design and materials
• Increased monitoring
• Greater preparation and planning - hazard mapping, land use zoning, evacuation planning
• Education - earthquake drills
• Improved warning systems
• Increased development

Question 4

What is the trend of the economic cost of disasters and why has it changed

Answer 4

• The economic cost of disasters has increased since 1960
• As countries develop the cost of repairing infrastructure and rebuilding increases
• Increased wealth means people have more possessions and property to be damaged and destroyed
• Infrastructure is more sophisticated and expensive to replace, for example, electric grids
• As more people are affected the cost increases

Question 5

Tsunami mega disaster - Indian Ocean 2004

Answer 5

• Affected 18 countries in south-east Asia and Africa
• Lead to over 225,000 deaths in 12 countries
• Indonesia 170,000 deaths
• Sri Lanka over 35,000 deaths
• Economic damage of US$10 billion
• Most of Sri Lanka’s fishing boats were destroyed
• Tourism was impacted as people were reluctant to visit the areas
• 17 million people were displaced
• 90,000 buildings were destroyed in Sri Lanka

Question 6

Volcanic mega disaster - Eyjafjallajokull

Answer 6

• 20 countries closed their airspace to commercial flights
• Kenya lost US$1.3 million a day due to cancelled flights for vegetables and flowers
• 20% of the Kenyan economy relies on exports of vegetables and flowers
• Airlines lost up to £130 million a day due to cancelled flights
• Over 100,000 flights were cancelled
• 10 million travellers were affected
• 500 farmers evacuated from the area immediately around the volcano
• Contamination of water sources with fluoride

Question 7

Earthquake mega disaster - Haiti 2010

Answer 7

• 3 million people were affected by the earthquake
• between 217,000 and 230,000 people died and estimated 300,000 were injured
• an estimated 1,000,000 were made homeless
• also estimated that 250,000 residences and 30,000 commercial buildings had collapsed or were severely damaged
• Two million people were left without water and food
• Regular power cuts occurred
• Crime increased - looting became a problem and sexual violence escalated
• By November 2010 there were outbreaks of cholera

Question 8

What are multiple hazard zones and why are they a problem

Answer 8

• There are many areas in the world which are vulnerable to multiple hazards
• When two or more hazards occur at the same time or in rapid succession the area faces:
• Dealing with a new hazard event whilst still recovering from a previous hazard event
• Issues with development due to the costs of recovering from multiple hazard events

Question 9

Multiple hazard zone case study - Philippines

Answer 9

• The population is estimated at 115.6 million (2022) with a population density of 385.2 people per km2
• Almost 50% of the population is urban
• An estimated 74% of the population and 60% of the land area is vulnerable to hazard events
• In 2019 and 2020 the Philippines experienced 4 typhoons, the eruption of the Taal volcano and several earthquakes
• Tectonic activity:
  o The Philippines are located at the boundaries of a number of major and minor plate boundaries
  o It is on the western edge of the Pacific Ring of Fire
  o These are mainly convergent boundaries leading to both volcanoes and earthquakes
• Volcanic activity:
  o There are 24 active volcanoes on the islands
• Tsunamis:
  o The location in the Western Pacific makes the Philippines vulnerable to tsunami
• Typhoons:
  o The islands are affected by 15-20 typhoons a year
• Landslides
  o The mountainous landscaped means that landslides are common