Tectonics Case Studies Flashcards
LIC Earthquake
Nepal 2015, between Indian and Eurasian plates, 7.8 magnitude
8600 killed, lost 25% of GDP
Himalayas= mountainous area= landslides
Weak infrastructure- not earthquake proof
Occurred in Kathmandu= densely populated
Volcanic eruption
Eyjafjallajokull eruption in Iceland 2010
Flights cancelled (clogged engines from ash)- 100K worldwide, 10 million passengers stranded
Pyroclastic flows- Jokullhaps due to melting of snow and ice causing flooding
Tsunami
2004 Indian Ocean
9-9.3 magnitude
300K dead
No warning systems
Epicentre close to communities
$10 billion costs
What are the secondary impacts of Tohoku earthquake?
On people
$235b economic costs
Tsunami- 40m high waves- 49% who did not follow warning were hit
Nuclear Power- 7 reactors at Fukushima nuclear power station experienced meltdown, radiation 8x the normal levels
Transport- rural remain isolated due to destroyed roads, Tohoku expressway damaged
On environment
Coastal changes- tsunami travelled further due to 250-mile coastline dropping by 0.6m
What are the primary impacts of Tohoku Earthquake?
On people
16k deaths, 26k injured, 130k displaced
330k+ buildings damaged, 4.4m homes without electricity
On Environment
Land movement- tectonic shift- moved Japan 2.4m closer to North America
Liquefaction- occurred in Tokyo where parts are built on reclaimed land
What are the key facts of Tohoku Earthquake?
9.0 magnitude on Richter Scale
North-East coast of Japan
About 250 miles from Tokyo
March 11, 2011, 3pm
Eastern edge of Eurasian Plate (continental) and subduction by Pacific Plate at destructive plate margin
20 miles below (shallow) Pacific Ocean surface leading to Tsunami
What are the short-term responses of Tohoku earthquake?
Japan Meteorological Agency issued tsunami warnings 3 mins after earthquake
Scientists predicted location of areas at risk to tsunami
100k members of Japan’s Defence Force dispatched for search and rescue
Government gave 20km evacuation zone around Fukushima nuclear power plant
International help from US military, NZ, India etc
Those who lost homes evacuated to temporary shelters/ relocated
After Fukushima Daiichi nuclear meltdown, radiation levels checked of those who were exposed and given iodine tablets to reduce risk of radiation poisoning
What are the long term responses of Tohoku Earthquake?
Reconstruction Policy Council to reconstruct tsunami-resilient communities (budget of £190b spent over 10 years)
Coastal protection policy e.g. seawalls and breakwaters
By 24th March 2011, 375km of Tohoku Expressway repaired and reopened
Runway at Sendai Airport restored by 29th March
November 2011- 96% of electricity supply restored, 98% water, 99% landline network
Key facts of Eyjafjallajokull eruption
Between March and May 2010
3 VEI but settled weather pattern with winds blowing towards Europe and eruption lasting 39 days magnified impact
Iceland lies on Mid-Atlantic Ridge (constructive plate margin) separating North America and Eurasian plates
Eruption caused a jokulhaup as it is located below a glacier
Primary impacts of E10
Crops destroyed by ash, homes and roads destroyed
Ash cloud brought European Airspace to standstill- half of April 2010- £130 million per day lost
Secondary impacts of E10
Fresh food imports stopped
Industries affected by lack of imported materials
Flooding due to glacial melt
Water supplies contaminated with fluoride
International impacts of E10
Kenya- 5000 worked laid off by farmers as flower and veg left rotting in airports
Kenya Flower Council- lost $1.3m day in lost shipments to Europe (97% exports)
Flights cancelled (clogged engines from ash)- 100K worldwide, 10 million passengers stranded
Opportunities of E10
Grounding of European air travel prevented 2.8m tonnes of CO2 in atmosphere
50k more passengers on Eurostar
Responses of E10
European Red Cross- mobilised volunteers, provided food for farmers living near glacier, counselling for traumatised children
700 evacuated from disaster zone 3 times in a month
Key facts of Haiti
7.0 magnitude, January 12th, 2010
Around 25km west of Port-Au-Prince
Northern end of Caribbean Plate on conservative boundary with North American Plate
Primary impacts of Haiti
3m affected
around 220k died
300k injured
1m displaced
around 250k buildings collapsed
Secondary impacts of Haiti
2m left without food and water
Regular power cuts
Looting and sexual violence escalated
November 2010- outbreaks of cholera
Short-term responses of Haiti
Port damaged so aid slow to arrive
USA sent 10k troops
Bottled water provided
235k moved away from Port-au-Prince
£20m donated by UK government
Long-term responses of Haiti
Haiti relied on overseas aid- response slow
New homes built to a higher standard
Over 1m still live in temporary shelter after 1 year
Port rebuilds required large investment
Why did so many people die in Haiti
Earthquake at shallow depth so waves maintained energy
Struck densely populated area
Poorest country in Western Hemisphere
Buildings in poor condition- not earthquake resistant
Most live in slums due to rapid urbanisation
Airport control tower damaged so port unusable= slow aid and lack of trucks to distribute
International rescue teams took 48 hours to arrive
Shortage of doctors (deaths due to broken limbs)
