case study

• What is the geological setting of the Soufrière Hills Volcano in Montserrat?


  • Located near a destructive plate boundary
  • North & South American plates sinking under the Caribbean plate
• What happens to the North and South American plates as they sink into the mantle?


  They are melted into magma, which rises to the surface.
• What type of lava does the Soufrière Hills Volcano produce?


  The Soufrière Hills Volcano produces andesitic lava.
• Why is andesitic lava significant in terms of its flow?


  Andesitic lava is so thick that it cannot flow.
• When did the first minor eruptions of the Soufrière Hills Volcano occur?


  The first minor eruptions occurred on July 18th, 1995.
• What preceded the first minor eruptions of the Soufrière Hills Volcano?


  A swarm of earthquakes preceded the first minor eruptions.
• What natural disaster followed the first minor eruptions of the Soufrière Hills Volcano?


  Pyroclastic flows followed the first minor eruptions.
• What action was taken in response to the pyroclastic flows from the Soufrière Hills Volcano?


  People were evacuated from the capital.
• When did the largest eruption of the Soufrière Hills Volcano occur?


  The largest eruption occurred on June 25, 1997.
• What natural hazards occurred

  • volcanic bombs were hurled out at 200km/h and pyroclastic flows flattened buildings and burned trees
  • ash was blasted high into the atmosphere and when it settled it covered two thirds of the island, burying buildings under metres of ash and destroying plants and farmland.
• When did the earthquake strike the region?


  October 8, 2005
• What was the maximum Mercalli intensity of the earthquake?


  XI (Extreme)
• What was the magnitude of the earthquake?


  1. 6
• Where was the epicentre of the earthquake located?


  Under the disputed area of Kashmir territory under Pakistan
• How many people died as a result of the earthquake?(kashmir)

  Over 86,000 people
• How many people were injured in the earthquake?(kashmir)

  A similar number to those who died, over 86,000
• What was the impact of the earthquake on displacement?(kashmir)

  Millions were displaced
• kashmir: Why is this earthquake considered significant in South Asia?

  It is considered the deadliest earthquake in South Asia
• Which earthquake did this event(kashmir) surpass in deadliness?

  The 1935 Quetta earthquake
• kashmir: What geological feature is associated with the region where the earthquake occurred?

  The collision between the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates
• kashmir: What is the result of the collision between the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates?

  Unstable seismicity in the region
• kashmir: What mountain range was formed due to the collision of these tectonic plates?

  The Himalayan Mountain range
• What are the key impacts of the October 8, 2005 earthquake?(kashmir)

  • Over 86,000 people died
  • A similar number were injured
  • Millions were displaced
  • Considered the deadliest earthquake in South Asia
• What secondary hazards followed after the kashmir Earthquake 2005

  • landslides
• What hazard vulnerabilities affected the severity of the disaster

  • poorly constructed buildings
  • Implementing and enforcing stricter construction standards can significantly reduce the impact of the future earthquakes
• What natural disaster can Jökulhlaups cause?


  Mega-floods
• Where is Eyjafjallajökull located?

  In southern Iceland
• When did Eyjafjallajökull erupt?


  On 13th April 2010
• What was the impact of the Eyjafjallajökull eruption on air travel?

  It disrupted flights across Europe
• What occurred on 14th April 2010 at Eyjafjallajökull?


  A large subglacial explosive eruption occurred
• How did the eruption on 14th April affect the ice cap at Eyjafjallajökull?


  It melted through the 200 m thick ice cap within hours
• What was the height of the plume generated by the eruption?

  8.5km high
• What was the consequence of the rapid melting of the ice cap?

  It produced Jökulhlaups along the flanks of the volcano
• What infrastructure was damaged due to the Jökulhlaups?


  Iceland's ring road was damaged
• What was the result of further eruptions at Eyjafjallajökull?


  They generated more Jökulhlaups and led to the evacuation of Markarfljót
• What are the primary and secondary hazards associated with Jökulhlaups?

  • Primary Hazards: Mega-floods
  • Secondary Hazards: Disruption of infrastructure, evacuation of towns
• What is the geographical location of Vanuatu?


  South Pacific
• How long has Vanuatu been running the WRI program?


  5 years
• What is the composition of Vanuatu in terms of islands?

  Vanuatu is a collection of 65 inhabited islands
• What geological features affect Vanuatu?


  It has a zone of tectonic complexity with several micro plates and the subduction of the Australian Plate under the Pacific Plate