Response to tectonic hazards Varying approaches of individuals and governments to cope with these hazards at various stages of development. Specific srategies. Effectiveness of diferent approaches.

How do people respond? The ways people cope with tectonic hazards are often related to their wealth and access to technology. Do nothing (ignore the risk) Move to a safer location Attempt to prevent the hazard Adapt lifestyle to the hazard Some LEDC’s are forced to do nothing- they don’t have the wealth or technology. Moving to a safer location isn’t an option for many people especially those in a less economically developed area. Adapting lifestyle can include taking out insurance which in turn increases the rate of recovery. Preventing hazards is only possible for some hazards.

Modify the event (hazard mitigation) Modify human vulnerability Modify the loss Tsunami Coastal defences and engineering Warming and prediction systems Coastal zone management and landuse planning Provision of emergency kits Loss modification involves immediate rescue efforts, followed by relief efforts which focus on food, shelter, water and sanitation. Insurance can help recovery. Long term reconstruction is needed. Earthquakes Not possible Ground shaking and liquefaction risk mapping Aseismic buildings Earthquake education and drills Prediction not possible Volcanoes Lava diversion Monitoring, prediction warning and evacuation systems Hazard mapping e.g. lahar risk Education Shelters

The approaches of different players LOCAL GOVERNMENT The Edexcel A2 Geography textbook (Dunn 2009) suggests that “The key strategies to reduce the impact of earthquakes lie in the hands of the government.” These include: Land use zoning, Building regulations, Evacuation drills, Emergency service provision, Education.

Players (local government) 20% of the wrld’s population live in volcanic zones Data shows that approximately 20% of the world’s population live in volcanic zones; an area with high volcanic activity is Montserrat. Montserrat volcano observatory was set up in 1996 to observe volcano activity which monitors seismic activity. This helps people to prepare for disasters. It includes daily reports to monitor and predict volcanic activity. In 1997 two-thirds of the island was declared an exclusion zone before an eruption. There was a large economic impact but no human lives were lost.

Players TNC’s MEDC Charities LEDC’s often have to rely on aid from other countries and charities to assist in responding to tectonic hazards. VIDEO 00:18- 02:00

Players (Local government-Japan) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tF204Pgf- eo

Players- Media Ensuring that news on the hazard is reported. Technology allows the media to report tectonic hazards almost immediately after they have occurred. Allows management strategies. Event can be modified. The media have a role in ensuring that news on the hazard is reported before during and after the event. Technology allows the media to report tectonic hazards almost immediately after they have occurred. This allows management strategies to be formed quickly and therefore the event can be modified.

Players-NGO’s (Non government organisations) Organisations that act independently from the government. Crucial when a tectonic hazard occurs. These are organisations that act independently from the government, including charities such as Oxfam. The role of NGO’s is crucial when a tectonic hazard occurs, particularly in the developing world where management strategies are likely to not be in place.

Oxfam: UNICEF The Peace Fund NGO’s continued   Oxfam: The Peace Fund UNICEF The Asian Tsunami 2004 is a case study that examines the role of responses by NGO’s. Oxfam focus on helping communities in the worst hit areas (Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Kanyakumari, and along the southwest coast of Kerala.) They look at improving water sources and in the 2004 tsunami they provided temporary shelter for 60,000 people and sanitation facilities in the northern part of the country. The Peace Fund established the “Phi Phi Island Tsunami Relief fund” which provided aid to the entire Phi Phi island, they also established the “Krabi Relief Fund” which cares for orphans from the disaster. Unicef provided clothing, more than 30,000 blankets, 1,600 water tanks, medical supplies and water supplies to Sri Lanka.

Strategies- How do people cope? Risk Assessment The use of technology Educating people The location of main services Building regulations Key Strategies Evacuation drills Do nothing Emergency service provision Here are some more strategies for example risk assessments and education. Using a risk assessment helps to determine risk and also modifies loss and vulnerability.

Strategies (education) This picture shows children during an earthquake drill in Chongquing, China. The use of education in hazardous areas can save millions of lives.

Strategies (do nothing) 2001 Gujarat earthquake Another approach is to do nothing. This was the case in 2001 Gujarat earthquake which occurred in India. Aid was ceased, as it was thought to encourage a "relief mentality" which would delay a return to normal life. As a possible result of this, 20,000 people died and 600,000 people were left homeless.

Effectiveness of different approaches Japan and Haiti are examples of two areas that are prone to tectonic hazards. The table looks at the key differences in the Japanese earthquake (2011) and the Haiti earthquake (2010) in regard to preparedness strategies and management, as well as general statistics of the two disasters. The death toll is much higher in Haiti for a number of reasons such as lack of education and a lack of AID from other countries. The magnitude was actually lower in Japan, which shows a much higher level of earthquake management.

From the edexcel textbook 2008 http://saarc- sdmc.nic.in/pdf/Earthquake3.pdf