Management of Tectonic Hazards (Edexcel GCSE Geography B)

Equipment included:

Seismograph - installed in 1924, 9km from Mount Merapi

Tiltmeters - used around the volcano to detect changes ground levels

Satellites - used to detect lava dome growth, heat of rising magma

Military and police were trained to organise evacuation

Evacuation centres were set up but many were overcrowded and had issues with sanitation

There are five observation stations on the volcano with gas samples being regularly taken

Temporary shelters were ready for evacuees

1600 people were part of the national response

Local people relied on traditional warning signs of ash/smoke plumes, changes in animal behaviour

Many people in 2010 ignored evacuation advice as they did not believe the scientific evidence

International aid from NGOs such as Red Cross and Oxfam

Seismic monitoring networks

Long term hazard assessment conducted in 2015 anticipated the location of new vents and type of eruption - this was not used to plan for the eruption

Copernicus Emergency Management Service (CEMS) was activated to support the emergency response - resulting in the evacuation of 7,000 people

Satellites are used to detect lava dome growth, heat of rising magma

Emergency plans

Emergency Operations Centre

Gas samples are regularly taken

Disaster training 

Volcano Risk Prevention Plan (Pevolca) 

• Prediction of earthquakes is not possible

• Seismometers are in place around Nepal to monitor the strength of earthquake waves

• Nepal Centre of Disaster Management was established in 2002 to help mitigate impact of any disasters 

• Building regulations were stricter (but these were often not enforced)

• Only one international airport which meant getting aid supplies into Nepal was challenging

• Emergency supplies were stockpiled but not in sufficient amounts

• Over US$1 billion in international aid from India and China 

• The Asian Development Bank (ADB) provided a US$3 million grant for immediate relief efforts

• Three Chinook helicopters; 100 search and rescue; medical workers 

• Use of GIS to coordinate the response

• Many NGOs sent aid workers, food, water and medical supplies

• Tent cities in Kathmandu provided shelter for people made homeless

• Nepalese army sent to worst hit areas

• Inflatable field hospitals set up to treat the injured

• Prediction of earthquakes is not possible

• Seismometers are in place around Nepal to monitor the strength of earthquake waves

• The Italian National Seismic Network (INGV) monitors seismic activity

• Safe Schools - €4billion invested prior to 2016

• Building code to improve earthquake resistance (although a number of new buildings collapsed)

• Emergency shelters were provided

• Rescue workers arrived within an hour of the earthquake

• A temporary hospital was set up

• Effective communication was maintained by locals removing wi-fi passwords 

• Many NGOs sent aid workers, food, water and medical supplies

• Twelve helicopters were used in the rescue