Multiple-Hazard Zone Case Study (Edexcel A Level Geography)

• There are many areas in the world which are vulnerable to multiple hazards
• When two or more hazards occur at the same time or in rapid succession the area faces:
  • Dealing with a new hazard event whilst still recovering from a previous hazard event
  • Issues with development due to the costs of recovering from multiple hazard events

The Philippines

Map of the Philippines

• The Philippines is an island nation situated in Southeast Asia in the Western Pacific Ocean
• It is an archipelago consisting of over 7,600 islands
• The capital is Manila 
• The population is estimated at 115.6 million (2022) with a population density of 385.2 people per km²
• Almost 50% of the population is urban
• An estimated 74% of the population and 60% of the land area is vulnerable to hazard events

Risk of hazard events

• In 2019 and 2020 the Philippines experienced 4 typhoons, the eruption of the Taal volcano and a number of earthquakes

Tectonic activity

• The Philippines are located at the boundaries of a number of major and minor plate boundaries 
• It is on the western edge of the Pacific Ring of Fire
• These are mainly convergent boundaries leading to both volcanoes and earthquakes

Volcanoes and earthquakes

• There are a number of subduction zones around the archipelago which has led to significant volcanic activity
  • There are 24 active volcanoes on the islands 
  • The eruption of Mount Pinatubo in 1991 was until recently the largest eruption in the last 100 years
  • Approximately 2.81 million people live within 30km of the Taal volcano 
  • Mount Mayon has erupted over 50 times in the last 500 years

Tsunami

• The location in the Western Pacific makes the Philippines vulnerable to tsunami
• Tsunami may result from both volcanic eruptions and earthquakes
• The worst tsunami in recorded history occurred in 1976 when tsunami waves of up to 5 meters struck Lebak in the southwest of the Philippines

Typhoons

• The Philippines is located between 5^o and 20^o north of the equator and lies in the tropical cyclone zone
• Typhoons can occur at any point in the year 
  • The most active months are June to September
• The islands are affected by between 15-20 typhoons a year
• The most powerful typhoon to strike the Philippines in recent years was Typhoon Yolanda (also known as Haiyan) in 2013
  • Wind speeds reached 315km/h and 6,500 people were killed

Landslides 

• The mountainous landscape of the Philippines means that landslides are common
• Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and typhoons can all trigger landslides

Vulnerability

• Increased urbanisation has led to high population densities in cities such as Manila
• The population is mostly coastal as inland areas are mountainous, this increases the vulnerability to storm surges, typhoons and tsunami
• Increasing population has led to deforestation in the upland areas as a result of clearance for settlements and agriculture
  • Deforestation increases the risks of landslides as there is less interception and more surface runoff
• More settlements have been built in areas of high risk, Angeles was built near Mount Pinatubo before the eruption in 1991
• The Philippines is a developing country, it lacks money for planning and preparation
  • The GDP per capita is US$3,460 compared to the USA which is US$70,248