EQ3 Tectonics 25.3.19
EQ3: how successful is the management of tectonic hazards and disasters?
Multiple hazard zones
Hydrometeorological hazards: natural hazards caused by climate processes → including
droughts, floods, hurricanes, and storms.
The Philippines
- One of the most disaster prone countries in the world. 8/10 most at-risk cities from
natural hazards are in the Philippines.
- The Philippines sits across a major convergent plate boundary → faces significant
risks from volcanoes and earthquakes.
- Northern and Eastern coasts face the pacific ocean → most tsunami prone ocean.
- The Philippines lies within South-East Asia’s major typhoon belts. These bring in
strong winds and heavy rainfall. → also increase flooding and landslides.
- Tropical monsoon climate → heavy annual rains.
- Philippines has 47 volcanoes → 22 are active. 30%+ of the population live within
30km of a volcano.
- Landslides are common due to the steep topography, high levels of deforestation
and high rainfall.
Vulnerability
- Lower- middle income country. → growing population → rapid urbanisation. → high
population density.
- many of the poor live in coastal regions → prone to sea surges, flooding, tsunami. →
made worse by poor infrastructure
- 25% of the population live in poverty.
Challenges of multiple hazards
- one hazard or event can cause or increase other hazards.
- Philippines 2016 – Earthquake → killed 15 people, injured 100, and
damaged/destroyed 800 buildings.
- Generated a tsunami 3 metres high.
- Triggered landslides and created floods.
- A short space of time between hazards can create more problems as:
o The government and communities have to deal with the new disaster whilst
recovering from the old one.
o This drains resources.
o Stretches the ability of emergency systems to respond.
o Creates a constant state of emergency.
Hazard management theoretical models
Hazard management cycle = Mitigation → preparation → response → recovery.
1. Mitigation (prevention) → preventing a hazard or minimizing their effects. (before
& after hazard event)
- Identifying potential natural hazards and taking steps to reduce their impact.
EQ3: how successful is the management of tectonic hazards and disasters?
Multiple hazard zones
Hydrometeorological hazards: natural hazards caused by climate processes → including
droughts, floods, hurricanes, and storms.
The Philippines
- One of the most disaster prone countries in the world. 8/10 most at-risk cities from
natural hazards are in the Philippines.
- The Philippines sits across a major convergent plate boundary → faces significant
risks from volcanoes and earthquakes.
- Northern and Eastern coasts face the pacific ocean → most tsunami prone ocean.
- The Philippines lies within South-East Asia’s major typhoon belts. These bring in
strong winds and heavy rainfall. → also increase flooding and landslides.
- Tropical monsoon climate → heavy annual rains.
- Philippines has 47 volcanoes → 22 are active. 30%+ of the population live within
30km of a volcano.
- Landslides are common due to the steep topography, high levels of deforestation
and high rainfall.
Vulnerability
- Lower- middle income country. → growing population → rapid urbanisation. → high
population density.
- many of the poor live in coastal regions → prone to sea surges, flooding, tsunami. →
made worse by poor infrastructure
- 25% of the population live in poverty.
Challenges of multiple hazards
- one hazard or event can cause or increase other hazards.
- Philippines 2016 – Earthquake → killed 15 people, injured 100, and
damaged/destroyed 800 buildings.
- Generated a tsunami 3 metres high.
- Triggered landslides and created floods.
- A short space of time between hazards can create more problems as:
o The government and communities have to deal with the new disaster whilst
recovering from the old one.
o This drains resources.
o Stretches the ability of emergency systems to respond.
o Creates a constant state of emergency.
Hazard management theoretical models
Hazard management cycle = Mitigation → preparation → response → recovery.
1. Mitigation (prevention) → preventing a hazard or minimizing their effects. (before
& after hazard event)
- Identifying potential natural hazards and taking steps to reduce their impact.
