Responses to Tectonic Hazards (AQA GCSE Geography)
Revision Note
Written by: Bridgette Barrett
Reviewed by: Jenna Quinn
Responses to Tectonic Hazards
Tectonic hazards have both primary and secondary effects
The Primary and Secondary Effects of Tectonic Hazards
Tectonic Hazard | Primary Effects | Secondary Effects |
---|---|---|
Earthquake |
|
|
Volcanic eruption |
|
|
Examiner Tip
It is easy to confuse the primary and secondary effects/impacts for earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Remember:
Primary effects are those which occur as a direct result of the earthquake or volcanic eruption. For example, buildings collapsing is a direct result of the earthquake ground shaking.
Secondary effects are those things which result from the primary hazards. For example, fires caused by gas mains which have fractured.
Immediate & Long Term Responses
The responses to any tectonic hazard can be divided into two groups
Immediate in the days and weeks after the event
Long term in the months and years after the event
The Immediate and Long-term Responses to Tectonic Hazards
Immediate | Long Term |
---|---|
Rescue teams search for survivors | Rebuild homes and other buildings |
Medical assistance for those injured | Improve building regulations |
Shelter provided for homeless | Improve drills, evacuation plans and warning systems |
Food and water provided | Repair water, gas and electricity supplies |
Recovery and burial of bodies | Money given to farms for seed and new livestock |
Warnings issued if possible | Data from eruptions used to improve future predictions |
Evacuation | Government planning improved |
Clearing ash and debris | Transport routes rebuilt |
Example Case Study: Nepal
Nepal is one of the poorest countries in the world with a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita of under $1000 in 2015
Located between China and India, Nepal is a landlocked country
In 2015 80% of the population lived in rural, often remote, communities
In April 2015 at 11.26 am Nepal was struck by an earthquake, magnitude 7.8
The epicentre was 80 km northwest of Kathmandu in the Gorka district
The focus was shallow at only 15 km beneath the surface
Over 300 aftershocks followed the main earthquake
Cause
Nepal is located on a collision boundary between the Indian and Eurasian plates
Effects
Approximately 9000 deaths
Over 20,000 people injured
Electricity and water supplies cut
7000 schools and 1000 health facilities were damaged or destroyed
Almost 3.5 million people were made homeless
Offices, shops and factories were destroyed meaning people were unable to make a living
UNESCO world heritage sites destroyed as well as many temples
Loss of tourist income which Nepal is reliant on
Avalanches on Mount Everest and in the Langtang Valley
Landslides which blocked roads and rivers
Damages estimated at between $7 and $10 billion about 35% of the GDP
Immediate responses
Donations of money and aid from around the world totally $3 billion including $3.3 million from China and $51 million from the UK
Many countries sent aid in the form of:
Temporary shelters
Medicines
Food
Water
Clothing
Search and rescue teams
Medical staff
90% of the Nepalese army were mobilised
Tent cities were set up in Kathmandu for those made homeless
GIS crisis mapping tool was used to co-ordinate the response
$3 million grant was provided by the Asian Development Bank for emergency relief
Long term response
Landslides were cleared and roads repaired to restore access to remote rural communities
Schools were rebuilt
Earthquake drills were introduced to provide people with education about what to do in the event of an earthquake
Stricter building codes with more enforcement
$200 million was provided by the Asian Development Bank for rebuilding
A new government task force was set up to plan for future earthquake events
Example Case Study: Italy
Background
Italy is a High-Income Country (HIC) with a GDP per capita of over $31,000
It is located in Europe
On 24 August 2016 central Italy was struck by a magnitude 6.2 earthquake
The epicentre was 100 miles to the north-east of Rome
The focus was shallow at only 4.4km
Over 200 aftershocks followed the main earthquake over the next couple of days
Cause
Italy is located along the plate boundary where the Africa plate meets the Eurasian plate
The two fault lines running through Italy are the North-South Fault and the East-West Fault
Effects
Severe damage to buildings
80% of buildings in Amatrice old town were affected
Over 50% of all buildings in Amatrice were damaged and destroyed
The school in Amatrice collapsed
296 people died
Landslides blocked the roads
Psychological effects on the population
Tourism was negatively affected
Farmers were affected as 90% of barns and stalls for livestock in the immediate area were destroyed
Amatrice hospital was badly damaged
Immediate responses
Rescue workers sent to the worst hit areas with hours. They included;
Soldiers
Red Cross
Firefighters
Rescue dogs (70 dog teams)
Helicopters
Patients from Amatrice transferred to nearby hospital in Rieti
Temporary hospital set up in Amatrice to treat the injured
Temporary shelters (tents) were supplied for 10,000 people made homeless
Shelters at sports halls and other community buildings were provided
Immediate inspection of communications - telephone and internet
Emergency lines set up as extra support
Local residents were asked to remove their wi-fi passwords to improve rescue team communication
Mobile kitchens serving 1,000 meals a day
Additional blood donation sessions set up to supply additional blood for those people injured
Long term responses
The Italian government promised relocate those made homeless into temporary accommodation within 6 months
€42 million initiative called 'Home Italy' which would rebuild homes in the same style as they had been before the earthquake
Fundraising by the community and Italian Red Cross
Children attended classes in towns near to Amatrice to ensure they didn't miss education
A temporary school was built in Amatrice
Last updated:
You've read 0 of your 10 free revision notes
Unlock more, it's free!
Did this page help you?