Global Hazards: Case Studies

Question 1

General Information about Haiyan

Answer 1

• Hit Philippines 7th November 2013
• Category 5 on Saffir-Simpson Scale
• Killed 6300+ people, total affected = 11+ million
• Winds up to 315 km/h
• Storm surges up to 6m
• Coastal flooding 1km inland city Tacloban

Question 2

Causes of Storm Haiyan

Answer 2

• Ocean well above 26.5 degrees and 60 metre depth
• Coriolis Effect (7 degrees North)
• Low air pressure
• Latent Heat energy stored in water vapour (creates continuous cycle of evaporation)

Question 3

Human Factors that increased the Impact of Haiyan

Answer 3

• Philippines is an EDC (117th most developed itw)
• Area hit recently damaged by Bohol Earthquake: recovering population + infrastructure
• Simple wooden houses = no protection
• Affected densely populated areas + large numbers of people

Question 4

Social Effects of Haiyan

Answer 4

• Blocked roads, no transport access for surviving population
• No shelter, clean water or electricity in affected areas
• Damage to 571 clinics and hospitals
• Over 1/2 million left homeless + 6300 dead

Question 5

Economic Effects of Haiyan

Answer 5

• 90% of Tacloban was destroyed (5.2m storm surges)
• 453 cancelled flights
• $2.86 billion in total damage
• 77% of farmers and 74% of fishermen lost their main source of income

Question 6

Environmental Effects of Haiyan

Answer 6

• Heavy Rainfall; Flash floods + landslides
• Strong winds (damaged buildings)
• Storm surges (destroyed crops + habitats)
• Oil Barge Puncture: 85,000 litres leaked into the sea

Question 7

Short Term Responses to Haiyan

Answer 7

• WHO sent healthcare workers from around the world
• UN appealed for £190 million in emergency aid
• Use of social media to aid rescue calls + missing people searches
• Immediate evacuation attempts on 6 November

Question 8

Long Term Responses to Haiyan

Answer 8

• By April 2014, 560 schools, 220 rural health centres and 30 hospitals were restored
• 1500km of roads and 1100km of repaired drainage canals
• Replanted mangroves on the coast (buffer for future storm surges)
• Clearing debris and repairing infrastructure aid schemes

Question 9

UK Drought Facts

Answer 9

• Affected most of England + Wales in 2012
• One of the worst droughts on record
• Led to very low reservoir levels and widespread water shortages
• Most of England received less than 85% of average rainfall between April 2010 and May 2012

Question 10

What were the causes of the UK drought?

Answer 10

• Less rainfall : Unusual wind patterns, only 55-95% of normal rainfall
• Warmer temperatures (increased evaporation @ reservoirs)
• Dry soils (difficult infiltration)
• High Water Usage: 1.7 billion litres of water used daily

Question 11

Agricultural Impacts of UK Drought

Answer 11

• Not enough water for crops + livestock
• Difficult harvest in 2011 (strain on industry)

Question 12

Domestic Impacts of UK Drought

Answer 12

• 20 million people weren’t able to use hosepipes (gardens, washing cars etc.)
• Still running tap water

Question 13

Environmental Impacts

Answer 13

• Wildfires in South Wales, Surrey and Scottish Borders (dry moorlands)
• River depletion: River water used as supplements, harmed nature + wildlife

Question 14

Responses to UK Drought

Answer 14

Water Management:
- Water extraction permits (from rivers)
- Hosepipe bans (~20 million people affected, conserved water)

Public Awareness + Conversation:
- Campaigns encouraging minimal water use (eg. Turning off the tap whilst brushing teeth)

Question 15

General Nepal Earthquake Facts

Answer 15

• Struck on 25 April 2015
• 7.8 magnitude on Richter Scale
• 81.4% rural population
• Total Population = 30 million

Question 16

Causes of Nepal Earthquake

Answer 16

• Collision plate boundary; century if built- up strain
(Indian + Eurasian plates)
• Shallow Earthquake Focus (15km):
- Strong shaking at surface
- Fault line directly beneath Kathmandu
- Crust moved up to 3m in places
- Widespread affects

Question 17

Primary Effects of Earthquake

Answer 17

• Whilst ground was still shaking
• Destruction of buildings in urban areas
• Immediate landslides
• 8635 deaths, ~19000 injuries

Question 18

Secondary Effects of Earthquake

Answer 18

• Aftershock landslides (547 throughout the year)
• 2.8 million left homeless
• 1000 health facilities damaged, no access to healthcare
• Difficulty reaching rural + remote areas
• Deadly avalanches in Himalayas, particularly Everest

Question 19

Emergency Responses to Nepal Earthquake

Answer 19

India:
- 10 tonnes of blankets
- 50 tonnes of water
- 22 tonnes of food
- Doctors, medical supplies + engineering task force

NGOs:
- Support and medical care for the injured and homeless
- Attempted to reach rural areas