tectonics case studies

background of Christchurch earthquake

2011, epicentre near Christchurch (2nd most populated area of New Zealand

social impacts of Christchurch earthquake

180 deaths, 2000 injured

economic impacts of Christchurch earthquake

NZ$3.5 billion in damages, buildings demolished as unsafe

preparation for Christchurch earthquake

strict building codes and disaster plans in place

response to Christchurch earthquake

satellite imagery used to coordinate recovery, supplies flown in

background of Indian Ocean tsunami

Boxing Day 2004

social impacts of Indian Ocean tsunami

185,000+ deaths, millions displaced

economic impacts of Indian Ocean tsunami

freshwater wells and reservoirs contaminated

preparation for Indian Ocean tsunami

very little plans in place (affected developing/emerging countries)

response to Indian Ocean tsunami

international aid conference in Japan, aid sent from all over the world

background of Haiti earthquake

2010, epicentre near Port-au-Prince

social impacts of Haiti earthquake

230,000 deaths, 300,000 injured, 1 million homeless

economic impacts of Haiti earthquake

1,300 schools destroyed, 30,000 commercial buildings needed to be demolished

preparation for Haiti earthquake

no systems/plans in place

response to Haiti earthquake

foreign aid sent, 98% rubble still uncleared after 7 months

background of Iceland eruption

2010, plume of volcanic ash ejected several kilometres into the atmosphere

local impacts of Iceland eruption

population evacuated, melted glacier caused floods, fluoride on grazing land caused livestock problems

global impacts of Iceland eruption

flights cancelled (Heathrow cancelled 1000 in a day), loss of $2.6 billion in GDP across Europe

multiple hazard zone: the Philippines

volcanoes (Mount Pinatubo - 1991), earthquakes (Luzon Island - 1990), flooding (countrywide - 2023), landslides, typhoons, tsunamis, drought