Hazardous Earth - Case Studies Flashcards
1
Q
How and when did hurricane Katrina form?
A
- started as a tropical depression over the Bahamas on the 23rd of August 2005
- turned into a category 5 tropical cyclone through interacting with a tropical wave
- made landfall in the USA’s gulf coast on August 29th 2005
2
Q
What prevention techniques were already in place for Katrina?
A
Levees designed for category 3 in New Orleans but weren’t strong enough for this power and were poorly maintained
- pumping systems were flooded and failed to work
- evacuation procedures were stunted as public transportation was poor so access routes became jammed
3
Q
What were the environmental and coaxial impacts of Katrina?
A
- mass coastal erosion as 80% of the city was under water destroying habitats and loss of biodiversity
- infrastructure was destroyed (300,000 houses) and bridges collapsed leaving an abundance of debris
- over 1800 died
- superdome opened for shelter yet unsanitary conditions and shortage of food
4
Q
What future improvements have American made after hurricane Katrina made?
A
400Km of levees have been made much higher and stronger
- all of the cities 78 floodwater pumping stations are now flood proof
- lake Borgne surge barrier has been built to protect New orleams and is now the largest in the world
- rescue teams and evacuation messages
- upgrading these cost 14 billion only possible as a developed country
5
Q
When and where did typhoon Haiyan form?
A
- affected the Philippines on November 7th 2013
- formed in the Philippine sea with over 300km/h winds
6
Q
What were the social impacts of typhoon haiyan?
A
- more than 6000 people were killed and many more recorded missing. This lead to trauma at loosing relatives
- over 4 million displaced due to homes being destroyed
- 30,000 fishing boats destroyed meaning many lost their livelihood as primary industry is relied on so country faced economic strain
- spread of disease in overcrowded temporary shelter
7
Q
What were the environmental impacts of typhoon haiyan?
A
- damages to mangroves that were already on the decline, if they had previously been established they were have acted as natural protection
- damage to oil barge leaking over 1 million tonnes of oil into the sea damaging aquatic ecosystems and releasing toxic fumes (localised area)
- landslides blocked evacuation routes and further destroyed hosing.
8
Q
What were the responses to typhoon haiyan?
A
- 1200 evacuation shelters set up and Philippine Red Cross provided basic food and resources
- UN donated financial support and medical aid
- homes were rebuilt in less likely flood risk areas and official cyclone shelters were built
9
Q
What happened at the eruption of mount pinatubo?
A
- located on the island of Luzon in the Philippines
- lies on a convergent plate margin so composite volcano that erupted due to the Eurasian plate subduction from beneath the Philippine sea plate
- erupted on 12th June 1991
10
Q
What were the responses to mount pinatubo?
A
- once the threat of eruption cured danger zones were mapped so 60,000 people were successfully evacuated
- seismometers detected activity and tilt-meters monitored deformation on the surface as magma rose and monitor gas emission
- built dams to protect against Lahars
- converted an ex US military base into Clark international airport to employ nearly 5000 who lost jobs
11
Q
What were the impacts of mount pinatubo?
A
- over 800 killed and many displaced
- 15 tins of silver dioxide emitted and dispersed by prevailing winds creating a shelling effect and lowering average temps by 0.5°
- ash mixed with heavy rain from typhoon Yunya leading to lahars that destroyed farms and houses (5000)
- rife disease and water source contaminated
12
Q
What is mount Kilauea?
A
- located in Hawaii over an oceanic hotspot on the Pacific plate
- shield volcano so has frequent yet effusive eruptions
- one of the most active volcanos in the world and has been eruption since 1983
13
Q
What is response and management doing for Mount Kilauea?
A
- Webcams and satellites monitor eruptions
- gas emissions monitor dangerous changed or warnings about air pollution levels
- monitored daily by volcanigists
- yet week planning laws and a growing population has lead to buildings in at risk areas
- MEDC so can afford to do this
14
Q
What are the impacts of Mt Kilauea’s eruptions?
A
- lava has created over 100km2 of new land which is fertile for agriculture like sugarcane
- blocked roads, destroyed animals habitats and destroyed 200+ homes
- releases up to 2000 tonnes of sulphur dioxide daily so contributes greatly to global warming and acid rain
- attracts 2.6 million tourists to the national park generating an income for local businesses and to fund monitoring projects
