4. What are the implications of living in tectonically active locations? Flashcards
(13 cards)
Why do people live near Mt Etna despite volcanic risk?
Volcanic soil is fertile — ideal for vineyards and orchards.
Tourism provides jobs (ski resort, guided tours).
Reliable monitoring by INGV (Italian National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology).
Cultural ties: many live in Catania and nearby towns despite knowing the risks.
Economic dependence on land, and low frequency of deadly eruptions.
What were the impacts of Mt Etna’s 2002–03 eruption?
Lava flows destroyed ski lifts and tourist facilities at Rifugio Sapienza.
Ashfall closed Catania airport for several days.
Several homes near Nicolosi buried or damaged.
Forests and farmland affected; economy hit due to damage to agriculture and tourism.
Emergency services evacuated tourists and residents.
What were the political and emergency responses to Etna’s eruption?
Lava diversion attempts using explosives to breach lava tubes.
Earth barriers constructed to protect tourist facilities.
Local authorities provided emergency accommodation and aid.
INGV monitoring provided real-time data to inform evacuations.
What are the environmental impacts of Mt Etna’s eruptions?
Lava destroyed pine forests and tourist infrastructure at Rifugio Sapienza.
Ashfall blocked rivers and caused water contamination.
2002–03 eruption produced lava fountains and gas plumes reaching 4.5 km high.
Why do people live near Mt Merapi?
Extremely fertile volcanic soils = high crop yields (e.g. rice).
Deep cultural/religious attachment (seen as sacred).
Lack of economic alternatives, especially for rural communities.
Family and historical ties to the land.
What were the impacts of the 2010 eruption of Mt Merapi?
353 killed, ~350,000 evacuated.
Pyroclastic flows travelled up to 4 km, destroying villages.
2000 cattle lost; ash damaged infrastructure and crops.
Lahars continued long after eruption, triggered by monsoon rains.
Ash reached up to 5 km in the air; flights disrupted across Java.
How did Indonesia respond to the 2010 Merapi eruption?
National disaster agency issued warnings via TV, text, loudspeakers.
Over 210 evacuation centres set up in schools, government buildings.
International aid: Red Cross, NGOs supplied food, water, shelter.
Long-term resettlement for those living in danger zones.
Why do people live in tectonically active areas like Japan?
High-tech hazard mitigation systems (e.g. seismic building codes, tsunami warning systems).
Cultural resilience and preparedness.
Economic opportunities (ports, industry, geothermal).
Difficult to relocate entire cities due to population density.
What were the impacts of the 2011 Tohoku earthquake?
9.0 Mw earthquake triggered a tsunami up to 40.5m high.
~16,000 deaths; 6,000 injured; 2,500 missing.
400,000 buildings destroyed or damaged.
Fukushima nuclear disaster (Level 7, same as Chernobyl).
$181 billion in damage — most costly natural disaster ever.
How did Japan respond to the Tohoku disaster?
Early warning system gave ~1-minute notice.
100,000+ troops deployed for search and rescue.
$4 billion in donations; recovery focused on rebuilding sea walls and infrastructure.
Review and strengthening of nuclear policies and tsunami barriers.
Why do people live in tectonically active Haiti?
Lack of resources and opportunities to move.
Earthquakes are rare, so risk felt low.
Urbanisation in Port-au-Prince meant people had to settle in vulnerable areas.
What were the impacts of the 2010 Haiti earthquake?
7.0 Mw quake, only 13 km deep.
230,000+ dead; 300,000 injured; 2.3 million displaced.
Government buildings, schools, and hospitals collapsed.
Cholera outbreak killed 9,000+.
$8 billion+ in damages.
How did Haiti respond to the earthquake?
Aid from UN, USA, NGOs — food, water, shelter.
3,500 US troops sent.
Slow recovery due to weak governance, limited resources.
“Build Back Better” plans began but progress limited.
