Impacts and Responses of Volcanic Activity (AQA A Level Geography)

Primary impacts

Secondary impacts

Social

Deaths and injuries

Displacement of people

Damage to properties and infrastructure causing disruption to people’s lives

Mental health issues e.g. stress, anxiety, depression

Homelessness

Disruption to services such as healthcare and education

Loss of cultural heritage sites

Economic

Destruction of property and infrastructure leading to significant costs for repair and reconstruction

Disruption of trade and economic activity

Loss of income and employment

Costs of immediate responses e.g. food aid, temporary shelter, medical treatment

Slower economic growth and development

Increased economic inequality as impacts are more severe for most vulnerable people

Increased costs of insurance and hazard management strategies

Environmental

Poor air and water quality

Loss of biodiversity

Destruction of habitats and ecosystems

Acid rain can damage ecosystems

Release of greenhouse gases can lead to a rise in global temperatures

Ash clouds can lead to a fall in global temperatures due to solar energy being reflected back into space

Political

Pressure on governments to co-ordinate emergency response

Social unrest and political instability

Conflicts over government response and food shortage

Changes in government policy and regulations to reduce future risk

Primary impacts

Secondary impacts

Social

• 353 deaths
• Injuries and illness e.g. sulphur dioxide gas caused skin irritation and breathing problems
• Damage to over 19,000 homes and properties
• Displacement of 350,000 people

• Nearly half of the people affected by the eruption suffered mental health issues e.g. stress, anxiety, depression
• Disruption to services such as healthcare and education
• Disruption to religious and traditional practices

Economic

• Economic losses of £450 million due mainly to impact on farming, tourism and manufacturing
• Destruction of property and infrastructure e.g. 30 bridges were damaged
• Disruption of trade and economic activity e.g. about 2500 flights cancelled

• Food prices increased due to destruction of crops and livestock
• Slower economic growth and development due to closure or relocation of businesses, decline in tourism, damage to crops etc.
• E.g. tourism fell by 30% (domestic tourists) and 70% (international tourists)

Environmental

• Destruction of biodiversity, habitats and ecosystems e.g. over 200 hectares of forest were damaged
• Poor air and water quality

• Acid rain damaged ecosystems
• Long-term pollution of land and rivers

Political

• Pressure on government to co-ordinate emergency response
• Social unrest, looting and political instability

• Conflicts over government response and food shortages e.g. some residents claimed that the compensation scheme was inadequate and unfair

Long-term responses

Short-term responses

Hazard mapping and land use zoning – identifying areas at most risk and limiting the activities that can take place there

Building codes – creating a set of building codes to increase the resilience of buildings to volcanic hazards

Education and training – preparing communities to improve evacuation and response

Evacuation – moving people out of the danger zone around a volcano when it shows signs of erupting

Search and rescue – using sniffer dogs and heat sensors to locate survivors and rescue them

Emergency aid - providing food, water, medical aid to affected communities