Geography case studies

• Haiti Earthquake Disaster 2010


  Devastating earthquake hit Haiti, affecting 3 million people, with 220,000 deaths. Resilience and humanitarian response were major challenges.
• International Response to Haiti Earthquake (2010)


  Ad Hoc Committee on Haiti (ACH) formed. Donations and aid poured in. Challenges: Security concerns, infrastructure damage, lack of government control.
• 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami in Indonesia


  Devastating tsunami hit Indonesia on December 26, 2004. Sumatra and Aceh hardest hit. UN-led response; humanitarian crisis affected 5.7 million people.
• Long-term Impact of 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami in Indonesia


  Reconstruction and recovery hindered by conflict between Indonesian government and Free Aceh Movement (GAM). Displacement and mental health issues persisted.
• Indonesia's Recovery from 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami

  Challenging recovery marked by corruption, inefficiencies, and conflict; economic growth and infrastructure slow to rebuild. NGOs and aid agencies filled gaps.
• Governance of the Eyjafjallajökull Eruption (2010)

  EU coordination played a vital role. Icelandic authorities led response, with international assistance. Decision-making was decentralized, with NGOs and expert groups providing input.
• Icelandic Evacuation Effectiveness

  Well-organized and swift evacuations saved lives. Icelandic emergency services and state authorities demonstrated effective coordination, ensuring safety and order.
• 2010 Haiti Earthquake: Social and Economic Effects

  Catastrophic impact on poor and vulnerable populations. Economic losses: $14.1 billion, affecting 80% of GDP. Social and mental health issues persisted, with chronic trauma and displacement.
• 2004 Indonesia Tsunami: Social and Economic Effects

  Catastrophic impact on Southeast Asia, with 230,000 fatalities and hundreds of thousands injured. Economic losses: $10 billion, primarily affecting Indonesia, Thailand, and Sri Lanka.
• Discordant Features of West Cork Coastline

  The West Cork coastline is discordant due to its diverse rock types, contrasting textures, incompatible lithologies, discontinuous and patchy distribution, and varied coastal geomorphology.
• Concordant Features of Dalmatian Coast

  The Dalmatian Coast in Croatia is concordant due to its homogeneous rock types, similar textures, uniform chemical composition, uniform distribution, and similar coastal geomorphology.
• Headlands


  West Cork features prominent rocky headlands, such as the Cape Clear Islet and the Sheep's Head Peninsula, formed by the erosion of Old Red Sandstone and Carboniferous Limestone.
• Bays


  Bays like Bantry Bay and Roaring Water Bay provide natural harbors and sheltered anchorage along the West Cork coastline.
• Coves


  Small, sheltered bays like the Cove of the Hag and the Cove of the Magpies offer secluded spaces along the West Cork coastline.
• Geomorphology of Dalmatian Coast


  The Dalmatian Coast is characterized by karst landforms, cliffs, bays, islands, coves, archipelagos, towers and pillars, and geological formations, showcasing the region's unique geological and cultural heritage.
• Faults, Joints, and Fissures on Northumberland Heritage Coast


  The Northumberland Heritage Coast features faults, such as the Whitley Bay Fault and the Seaton Slip Fault, as well as joints and fissures, which have played a significant role in shaping the coastline and its geology.
• Pioneer Plants and Flood Prevention

  The pioneer plants in the salt marsh in the Eden Estuary, Fife, Scotland, prevent flooding by using their roots to hold soil in place, trapping sediment, forming a mat to filter excess water, providing shade and shelter for wildlife, and stabilizing the soil.
• Erosional Landforms of Holderness Coastline


  The Holderness coastline is marked by a variety of cliffs, coves, stacks and pillars, arches, and inlets and embayments, all shaped by the forces of erosion.
• Examples of Erosional Landforms at Holderness

  The Holderness coastline features a variety of erosional landforms, including Fraisthorpe Cliffs, Hornsea Head, Ravenscar, Scaling Bay, Fraisthorpe Bay, Mappleton Gap, and Routs Lane Pillar.
• Examples of Depositional Landforms at Holderness

  The Holderness coastline features a variety of depositional landforms, including Hornsea Beach, Bridlington Bay, Withernsea Beach, Olderfleet Spit, and South Ferriby Dunes.
• Rate of Erosion at Holdeness


  The Holderness coastline is experiencing significant erosion at a rate of 1-2 meters per year, due to the combined effects of natural processes like erosion, wave action, and sediment transport.
• Examples of Mass Movement at St Oswald's Bay

  St Oswald's Bay exhibits various types of mass movement landforms, including frothing (slumping), talus, talus cones, rockfall, and scree.
• Hill of Beath Knoll


  A hill in Fife, Scotland, elevated due to isostatic rebound, creating a prominent feature in the landscape.
• Raith Formation


  A geological formation in Fife, Scotland, influenced by isostatic rebound, resulting in the creation of a distinct layer of sedimentary rocks.
• Culross Fossil Caves


  A series of fossil caves in Fife, Scotland, featuring fossils of marine creatures such as ammonites and belemnites.
• Rias in Kingsbridge Estuary


  The rias in the Kingsbridge Estuary are steep-sided valleys formed by erosion and sediment deposition, providing a unique habitat for flora and fauna and designated as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC).
• Fjords in Norway


  Fjords in Norway were formed during the last ice age, characterized by steep cliffs, narrow valleys, and deep water bodies, providing a unique habitat for flora and fauna, and many are designated as World Heritage Sites or national parks.
• Barrier Islands in the USA

  Barrier islands are formed by sediment accumulation, can be undrained or drained, and provide important habitats for wildlife and humans, but are vulnerable to storms, sea-level rise, and human development.
• Nile Delta Erosion


  The Nile Delta's erosion is increased by human activities (deforestation, land conversion), excess sediment, sea-level rise, and soft coastal geology, while coastal protection measures can actually exacerbate the problem.
• Maldives: Population, Elevation, and Flood Vulnerability


  The Maldives has a population of approximately 430,000 people, an average elevation of 1.5 meters (4.9 feet) above sea level, and is extremely vulnerable to flooding due to rising sea levels, coastal erosion, and lack of beach nourishment.
• 2013 North Sea Storm Surge


  The 2013 North Sea storm surge on December 5, 2013, caused widespread flooding, with sustained winds of up to 120 km/h, 1.5 m water level increases, and 10 fatalities.
• Long-term Effects of the 2013 North Sea Storm Surge

  The 2013 North Sea storm surge had long-term effects on the environment, infrastructure, economy, community resilience, and research, leading to improved flood defenses and climate change adaptation in the region.
• Storm Surge in Bangladesh

  The 2007 cyclone-induced storm surge in Bangladesh caused devastating consequences, including massive displacement, death toll, and destruction, leading to long-term effects on infrastructure, agriculture, health, and disaster preparedness.
• Deltawerken's Impact on Coastal Defense in the Netherlands


  The Deltawerken project in the Netherlands has successfully protected the coastal regions, including the Maeslantkering storm surge barrier, beach nourishment, and long-term benefits, at a total cost of approximately 10 billion Dutch guilders (5.5 billion USD), providing protection and economic benefits to the region.
• Tuvalu's Climate Vulnerability


  Tuvalu, with an average elevation of only 2 meters above sea level, is one of the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world, threatened by sea-level rise, saltwater contamination, and displacement of residents, with over 90% of its population at risk of environmental displacement.
• Soft Engineering in the Maldives

  The Maldives has implemented various soft engineering solutions to address coastal erosion, coral reef degradation, and the impacts of climate change. These initiatives include coral reef restoration, coastal protection structures, mangrove and seagrass restoration, and habitat enhancement.
• Sustainable Coastal Management in the Maldives


  The Maldives has implemented various sustainable coastal management initiatives, including ICZM, coral reef conservation, MPAs, sustainable tourism, fishing, and aquaculture. These efforts aim to promote environmental conservation, economic development, and social well-being.
• Blackwater Estuary Scheme Benefits

  The Blackwater Estuary Scheme in 2002 aimed to enhance the ecological and recreational value of the estuary. Benefits include habitat restoration, improved water quality, enhanced biodiversity, improved public access, and increased community engagement. The scheme also created jobs, increased tourism, and conserved natural resources, contributing to the local economy and sustainable development.
• Facebook and Globalisation


  Facebook has connected people globally, enabled economic transactions, facilitated cultural exchange, and provided access to information, playing a significant role in increasing globalisation.
• China's Tourism Spending in 2014

  China spent 540.6 billion yuan ($87.6 billion USD) on tourism in 2014, with 80% on domestic tourism and 20% on international tourism.