Case Study: Volcanoes (DP IB Geography)
Revision Note
Case Study: Mount Merapi
Mount Merapi earthquake facts
Name – Mount Merapi
Location – Java, Indonesia
Date – 25th October–30th November 2010
Magnitude – VEI 4
Plate boundary – Destructive plate boundary where the Indo-Australian plate is subducting below the Eurasian plate
Type of volcano – Stratovolcano or composite
Location of Mount Merapi
Impacts of the 2010 Eruption of Mount Merapi, Indonesia
| 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. 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 |
Factors affecting vulnerability
The number of deaths, injuries and displacement of population was high during and after the eruption
People were vulnerable to the impacts of the hazard
People refused to leave their homes, which made them more vulnerable to the impacts of the eruption
The reasons people stayed included:
Caring responsibilities for elderly parents
Responsibilities for livestock
Long-term residency and a subsequent unwillingness to leave
Cultural beliefs
Population density in the area has increased
Local people don't always believe that scientific monitoring is accurate, relying instead on traditional warning signs
Communication regarding the dangers of the eruption was slow and ineffective
Case Study: Cumbre Vieja
La Palma, Spain
Part of the Canary Islands, La Palma is located in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of North Africa
The Canary Islands are an [popover id="RAr2r~3MbVY7biGB" label=''autonomous region"] of Spain
There are 33 volcanoes across the Canary Islands, 10 of which are in La Palma
Cumbre Viejo earthquake facts
Name – Cumbre Viejo
Location – La Palma, Spain
Date – 19th September–December 2021
Magnitude – VEI 2 or 3
Plate boundary – Magma plume (hotspot)
Type of volcano – Cinder cone (basaltic lava)
Location of Cumbre Vieja Volcano
Primary impacts
Almost 1500 houses were destroyed by the lava flow
Over 1500 other buildings such as churches, shops and schools were destroyed
The lava flow cut across the coastal highway and covered 1000 hectares
The water supply was cut off for almost 3000 people
400 hectares of banana farms were destroyed
Almost 1300 hectares of land were affected
There was one death
Secondary impacts
Air traffic was suspended on a number of occasions due to ash in the atmosphere
Over 1000 people were evacuated after the eruption began on the 19th September
A further 5600 people were evacuated over the next few weeks
About 20,000 people were exposed to the eruption and its effects
Factors affecting vulnerability
Although many buildings were impacted by the eruption, deaths and injuries were minimised as a result of:
Evacuation plans
Suspension of air traffic
La Palma also has a Local Hazard Mitigation Plan, which aims to reduce the impacts of any hazard event
People are encouraged to have an emergency kit ready in case of eruptions
Insurance cover means that recovery from a hazard event is more rapid
La Palma has well-trained and equipped emergency services
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