Ultimate Case Study Guide
GCSE Geography
A guide to using the Ultimate Case study Guide
This guide is designed to help you prepare for your exams by collecting the case
study information you have learnt during your GCSE and putting it all in one
place.
This guide does not replace your notes. Part of your revision should be to go
back over your notes and add further details to the information in this
booklet. This is essential if you would like an A/A* grade in your exam and
strongly recommended if you are aiming for a B.
You must know specific detail about case studies (e.g. figures or exact
details). Without these you will only get half marks for case study answers.
These are difficult to revise so try highlighting, mind maps, revision cards or
testing yourself to try to get them into your head.
Finally, if you are worried about anything or unsure about your case studies find
a geography teacher…we’re happy to help you get the best grade you can but
we can’t do the work, revision or exam for you 
You can email questions to:
Mrs Cringle at csb@johnwarner.herts.sch.uk
Miss Price at cmp@johnwarner.herts.sch.uk
Miss Plant at nep@johnwarner.herts.sch.uk
Mr Price at ojp@johnwarner.herts.sch.uk
Case Study Index
Theme:
What do I need to know?
Examples you have studied:
Coasts and Rivers
People and Settlement
1. River flooding (causes, effects and
management) in a LEDC
2. River flooding (causes, effects and
management) in a MEDC
3. A river valley and it’s landforms
4. A coastal area and its landforms
5. Coastal management along one
stretch of coastline.
 Flood in MEDC: Boscastle 2004
 Flood in LEDC: Bangladesh 1998
 A River Valley: River Kent, Cumbria
OR A River Valley: River Tees

Coastal landforms, Erosion and
Management: Holderness, UK
OR Norfolk, UK
1. A strategy to influence population
change.
2. International Migration from one
country to another.
3. Migration within one country
(regional migration).
4. Urban Change/ regeneration
5. Change in shopping provisions.

A strategy to influence population
change: China’s One Child Policy
International Migration: Poland to
the UK
Regional migration: Maharashtra
State to Mumbai
Regeneration in Stratford, London.
Change in shopping provisions:
Hoddesdon town centre
1.
2.
3.
4.
One tectonic hazard in a LEDC
One tectonic hazard in a MEDC
One climatic hazard in a LEDC
One climatic hazard in a MEDC




OR Bluewater Shopping Centre,
Kent
Choose one from each number:
1. Tectonic hazard in a LEDC
 Nevado del Ruiz volcanic eruption
 Sichuan Earthquake, China
Natural Hazards
2. Tectonic hazard in a MEDC
 Mount Etna volcanic eruption
 Italy Earthquake
 Japan Earthquake
3. Climatic hazard in a LEDC
 Cyclone Nargis
4. Climate hazard in a MEDC
 Hurricane Katrina
 Hurricane Sandy
Theme 1:
Rivers and Coasts
Flood in a MEDC: Boscastle
When? 16th August 2004
Where? The River Valency, North coast of Cornwall, in the south west of the UK
What happened?

A 3 meter flash flood carried trees, cars and other debris through the village.

Trees were washed downstream and became trapped by bridges in the town. This created
dams which caused the water to build up and flow down the main street instead. Lots of
damage to homes and businesses.

Over 80 cars were wrecked and four footbridges across the Valency River were
destroyed.
Who was affected by the flood?
Around 1,000 residents were affected, 42 properties were flooded and four completely
demolished. Locals – high insurance claims.
Loss of business to shop owners in Boscombe.
Tourism Industry – Loss of hotels and services provided to tourists.
People not able to travel around area (to school and work) due to flooded roads and
destroyed infrastructure.
Why did the flood happen?

Heavy, concentrated rainstorm fell on steep sided valleys. 200 mm fell in a single day,
most of it during a 5 hour spell. It was caused by warm, moist air from the Atlantic Ocean
moving inland.

Human factors also contributed – building on the Valency’s floodplain in Boscastle.
How did people try to reduce flooding?

Removal of trees that were right on the banks of the river – prevents falling debris into
the river in a future flood.

Raising bridges so they were less likely to trap debris and stop water flowing out of area.
 Alternative flow channels – diverting water away from key settlements and tourist areas.
 Afforestation on surrounding hillsides and careful land use – increased interception
therefore less water flows towards town. Tree roots also suck up water.
Flood in a LEDC: Bangladesh
When? September 1998
Where? South Asia/ North East of India/ Coast on the Bay of Bengal
What happened?

57% of the country was flooded

1000 people were killed

Millions made homeless

Cost the country almost $1billion

Secondary impacts also bad e.g. shortages of drinking water and diseases spread
Why did the flood happen?

70% of total land area is less than 1m above sea level (floods easily). Most of the land is
the floodplain and delta of the River Ganges and Brahmaputra.

People encourage the rivers to flood their field (paddy fields growing rice)

Monsoon climate brings heavy rain in summer

Himalayas provide snow melt

Bangladesh suffers from cyclones
How are people trying to reduce flooding?
Bangladesh is an LEDC and has limited money to spend on river defences. However, they
have:

Cluster villages – a village raised 2m above sea level for 20 – 30 families to live in

Raise homestead – individual homes are raised 2m above water level. Underneath is
planted with vegetation to prevent erosion of the soil

Flood shelters – 2 hectares of raised land where people can take their livestock so it
is safe. Each shelter has space for over 100 families with a community room and toilet

Rescue boats – located in areas most at risk

Radios – given to committees of people to prepare for when a flood happens
A River Valley and its features: River Kent
Location
Cumbria, North West England, Flows through the Lake District. Source is Kentmere, Mouth
is the Kent Estuary in Morcambe Bay. 32km in length.
Natural Features
Land Use
Upper
In the upper course the river drops
Farmland (mainly sheep farming on the
Course
height quickly. It begins just above
fells where grazing land is poor quality
the Kentmere Reservoir. It is also
and not good for anything else)
relatively shallow and narrow and its
Water supply (the Kentmere Reservoir).
discharge is small. The river bed holds Footpaths cross the area as it is a
large angular rocks. There are a
popular place for walkers. A few isolated
number of short waterfalls and
houses/farms
rapids.
Middle
As the river flows downstream the
Farmland (The quality of the land is much
Course
width, depth and discharge increase.
better so cows and some crops are
Rocks become smaller and more
grown). Villages and Towns (e.g. Kendal)
rounded. Meanders start to form.
are built on the banks of the river.
Lower
In Kendal the river banks have been
Kendal is a large town with high street
Course
increased in height and made of stone. shops (e.g. Topshop and Clintons) and lots
There is evidence of ox-bow lakes on
of housing. Roads and railways.
the flood plain.
Industry. At Burneside the paper mill
uses water from the river.
Conflicts
Land in the valley is most valuable and therefore many people want to use it e.g. industry vs
settlement. Settlements in this area are growing due to counterurbanisation and this puts
pressure on farmland. Conflicts also occur between people who use the river. E.g. fishermen
vs kayakers and reservoir owners vs paper mill.
A River Valley and its features : River Tees
Located in North East England. The source is high up in the Pennines in the West (Cross Fell 893m
above sea level) and the river runs east into the North Sea.
Upper
Course
Natural Features
Land Use
In the upper course the river
Mainly farmland. Rough grazing of
flows over hard, impermeable
rocks. The valley has steep sides forming a
V-shape. The river channel is shallow and
sheep – too steep to use machinery.
Tourism – people want to see the
waterfall so there are lots of walking
trails.
rocky and the river is turbulent and clear. In
the upper course there is the famous High
Force
waterfall - High Force is the tallest
waterfall in England at 21 metres high.
Middle
Course
As the River Tees flows
downstream the gradient becomes less
steep. The river begins to erode sideways
(lateral erosion) rather than downwards and
the river begins to deposit sand and gravel.
Still mainly farmland – more crops
where land is flatter. Larger towns and
villages are beginning to be built where
the land is flatter – such as Yarm and
Stickton
The lateral erosion means the river gets
wider, the river valley gets wider and
meanders begin to form.
Lower
Close to Yarm the River Tees has formed
Port areas around Teeside – massive
Course
very large meanders. Some of these
steel making industry during the
meanders have led to the formation of ox-
industrial revolution. The River
bow lakes and flooding has caused levées to
form. Levées are high banks of silt along the
banks of a river.
Tees has a very wide estuary with
mudflats and sandbanks. Parts of the
estuary are very important sites for
The mouth of the River Tees is an estuary.
wildlife, such as seals, and migratory
An estuary is a river valley in a lowland area
birds. Some areas are Sites
that has been flooded.
of Special Scientific Interest
(SSSIs).
Coastal Erosion and Management: Holderness
Location

North East of the UK, Flamborough Head to Spurn Point

Towns such as Bridlington and Mappleton are located on the coast.
Features and landforms

Flamborough Head is a headland made from resistant chalk. The chalk is much harder to
erode than the soft boulder clay at Bridlington. The North Sea storms attack the
coastline here.

The cliffs at Flamborough Head is full of caves. Some have been cut through to arches.
Small stacks have now been left with names such as King and Queen.

The prevailing wind and swell is from the North East which moves sediment southwards
by longshore drift. This creates landforms such as Spurn Point – a spit.

Land use is mainly farming but coastal roads run along the edge of the cliffs in some
places. There are also several settlements (e.g. Mappleton).

There is a nature reserve and RSPB at Flamborough Head. There is also a hotel and
tourist camp here.
Problems

The Holderness coast is experiencing rapid rates of erosion (2m per year on average).

Many towns, villages, roads and even a gas works is at risk of falling into the sea.

Mappleton and Withernsea have both applied and built sea defences to reduce erosion.
There is a gas station at Easington which will also fall into the sea if the land is not
defended.

Large amounts of farmland have been lost. Road links may be cut if areas are not
defended.

The narrow strip of land that connects the life boat station on Spurn Point to mainland is
eroding and is often flooded (and has been completely destroyed.

Families have had to abandon living in the community on Spurn Point.
Management of coastline

Coastal defence options – hard and soft engineering to defend the coastline and reduce
erosion E.g. Mappleton and Withernsea

Withersea replaced its old straight wall with a recurved sea wall costing £6.3 million
(£5000 per meter). The wall protects Withernsea and has prevented valuable local
property falling into the sea. It employs many people in the tourism industry.

Beach nourishment has added sediment to the beach at Hornsea.

£2million has been spent at Mappleton to protect the village with 100 residents. 2 rock
groynes built in 1991 were built to trap beach material up the beach which would protect
the base of the cliffs. They work by trapping sediment being moved by longshore drift. It
will also help to reduce the impact on the sea wall there.

Some of the farmland is left with a ‘Do nothing’ approach. This is used when the land value
is lower or the cost of defending outweighs the benefits. For example at Spurn Point the
community that lived at Spurn Point have been evacuated and moved elsewhere as this
was a cheaper option for the council.
Future/Sustainability
Care is needed as what is done on one part of the coast may affect another. E.g. defences at
Mappleton may reduce longshore drift but could increase erosion at Easington or Spurn Point
further along the coastline.
Coastal Erosion and Management: Norfolk
Location

East of England, coastline to the North Sea

Towns such as Sheringham, Cromer and Happisburgh are located on the coast.
Features and landforms

The Norfolk coastline is made of very soft rock. Much of it is made sand on top and from
clay below.

Cromer, the largest of the towns in Norfolk is located on a headland. I

Villages such as Happisburgh, Overstrand and Mundesley are located on soft cliffs.

There is a spit on the north Norfolk coastline called Blakeney Point. It was formed
through longshore drift.
Problems

The land on the Norfolk coastline is eroding at at least 1m every year.

Rain soaks into the very soft rock and weakens it (weathering). Meanwhile the sea erodes
the cliffs from below.

The clay slides out of the bottom of the cliff and the sand on top collapses.

Sea defences were built in Happisburgh in the late 1950s. They broke several times and
the local council repaired them. Now they are in bad shape. The money for new defences
has to come from the government and with a population of just 850 people the
government have said no.

Houses along the Happisburgh coastline, on beach road have either been knocked down in
preparation or have already fallen into the sea.

Changes in government policy now limit funding for coastal protection, but there is no
compensation for any losses. The people of Beach Road, Happisburgh have received no
compensation for the loss of their house.
Management of coastline

Wooden revetments were put along the coastline at Happisburgh but were destroyed in a
storm and not replaced.

Bacton North Sea Gas terminal supplies the local area and country with a gas supply and is
therefore being protected.

Cromer has a population of 7750 people and brings in a lot of money for the economy
through tourism. It therefore has a strong sea wall and gryones in place which are being
maintain. It has economic value.

Groynes were put along the coastline at Happisburgh to stop sediment being carried away
in long shore drift but they can’t prevent erosion.

Some emergency rock armour/ rip rap was put down to gain time. It was paid for by the
council and donations but this is not enough and the sea has now eaten away at the
coastline behind them.

The Environment Agency are also involved in the decision on which areas to protect.

Coastal management is expensive. It costs around £1 million per kilometre. It needs to be
decided of this is economically worth it.
Future/Sustainability

Managed realignment is taking place at Happisburgh. This is where the land is being left
to erode into the sea until a natural equilibrium is reached. The land will then act as a
natural sea defence as salt marshes will have developed.

If the coastline is protected this will have a knock on effect on the Norfolk Broads. The
Norfolk Broads is a unique fresh water environment. The Broads currently relies on
sediment further along the coastline being transported to the area. Sea defences at
Happisburgh will slow movement of sediment and cause the beaches protecting the Broads
to disappear and flood the land.
Theme 2:
People and Settlement
Population growth, control and implications:
China’s One Child Policy
Location: East Asia/ North of India
Problems (What problems did China face?)

China had massive population growth (a population explosion). In 1979 the population of
China was 1 billion. It was estimated that by 2025 the population would be 1.8 billion.

Worry over the amount of resources that would be needed to support such a large
population (e.g. food, homes, fuel etc).

In rural China traditionally couples had large numbers of children to help on farmland and
look after them in old age.
Solutions (What did they try to do?)

The government introduced The One Child Policy. It hoped to get the population of 1.2
billion by 2025.

Each couple was allowed one child. You still had to ask permission from your local
authority and must be married.

Fines were introduced. In worse case scenarios forced abortions and sterilisations took
place. Incentives included pensions, health care and priority housing.
The consequences

Traditionally boys were more highly valued than girls. Couples aborted or abandoned
female babies so they could try again for a boy. Girls who survived often had to grow up
as orphans.

There is an uneven gender balance (there are now more boys than girls). This means not
all the males will find a Chinese bride.

Girls traditionally looked after the elderly. Less girls plus more girls going to work means
the elderly are sometimes neglected.
International Migration: Poland to the UK
Why is the migration occurring?

Poland joined EU in 2004, you can freely live and work in all countries in the EU

People are moving from Poland to UK in search of employment and a better standard of
living. The average annual income in Poland is £4,000 a year. In the UK it is £18,000.

Poland has the highest unemployment rates in Europe.

From 2004 – 2007 430,000 Polish migrants arrived in the UK to work.

1,500 migrants arrive in UK every day. Many arrive in the capital (London) first, and
find work as builders, maids, plumbers and cleaners.
In the UK
Positive
Negative
In Poland
Many of the jobs filled are those that
Remittances – money sent back to
UK citizens do not want E.g. in the
Poland from wages earned in UK.
building industry.
Returning Polish bring back new skills
Economic growth as migrants spend
with them.
money in shops and on services. (Polish
Unemployment numbers are reduced.
migrants contributed £1.9 billion to
Allies created between countries.
the government in tax and national
Less pollution due to lowered
insurance in 2007).
population
Increased strains on health and
Ageing population as young profession
education services.
working age move to UK leaving
Pressures on housing sector, high rents
shortfall in pension contributions.
as housing is in short supply.
Holes left in the labour market as
Pressure on A+E services as few
people migrate to UK.
migrants register with a GP
Brain drain – high skilled workers
Many workers demand training –
move for higher paid jobs (Doctors
especially in English
are paid 4x as much in UK than
Contributions to pollution and carbon
Poland)
emissions in the UK
Regional migration: Maharashtra State to Mumbai
Location:

South Asia, North west India (Main city is Mumbai)

Mahad Taluka is a small village south of Mumbai in the Maharashtra State
 People are leaving the rural area of Mahad Taluka in the Maharashtra State to live in
Mumbai.
Why are people moving?
Push Factors (reasons to leave the Maharashtra State):

Most people work as subsistence farmers

High amount of poverty – 50% of people live below the poverty line

Risk of drought/flooding/disease means life is difficult. If crops fail then there is
extreme risk of famine

Lack of basic amenities like water and electricity

Poor education and job opportunities
Pull Factors (reason to move to Mumbai):

They hope to find a well paid job where they can learn new skills.

The want a better life for their families. They also want to earn money to send back to
family members still in Mahad Taluka.
Problems caused:
In Mumbai

Mumbai has grown at an average rate of 4% per year

Not enough housing and other facilities like schools, doctors…

People build own houses out of whatever they can find on any available patch of
land…Appearance of shanty towns/slums - Lack of basic amenities e.g. electricity, clean
water, sanitation
In Maharashtra State:

Mainly young men and women leaving. This leaves the old and very young to deal with
tending to crops, collecting water and fuel. Poverty therefore worsens.
Solutions:
1. Investment in rural areas to prevent people from leaving in the first place E.g.
improving housing and creating better job opportunities for young people.
2. Demolish the slum areas in Mumbai so people have to relocate away from the area and
it can be improved for a different land use.
3. Create more jobs in the city of Mumbai so people can find more work.
4. Improve living conditions in the slums – greater water access, sewage system, better
health care and education so make the quality of life better.
Regeneration in Stratford, London.
Why was the regeneration needed?

The London borough of Newham is the second poorest borough in London.

There is poor housing; high crime rates, poor health care and the residents have few
qualifications.

41% of people that live in East London being under 24years old and many are one parent
families.

Much of the land is also brownfield sites, with buildings being full of toxic waste. Derelict
buildings are also ugly and dangerous.
What has been regenerated?

The aim is to build a 500 acre site Olympic Park, with a stadium, velodrome, aquatic
centre and athlete’s village. The athlete’s village will be turned into affordable houses
after the games have finished.

A new International Station is being built. It will host the Eurostar connections. This will
mean Stratford is connected to global cities Paris and Brussels.

A new shopping centre- Westfield Shopping Centre. It is the largest urban shopping
centre in Europe. It will create 7,000 new jobs.
What are the impacts of the regeneration?
Positive
Negative
£50,000 of Olympic fund is being put into
To make way for the Olympic park, the high
new football pitches in Newham.
rise social housing is being demolished.
Social
Residents are being given £8,500
compensation towards relocation costs. It is
felt by many locals that a community spirit no
longer exists here.
Economic
The International Station will attract
250 businesses will need to be demolished to
foreign investment into the area.
make way for the Olympic park. All businesses
Over 1,000 businesses have won contracts
have been given compensation towards
from the Olympic Delivery Authority
relocation costs but many are not happy with
(ODA).
this.
The extension of the Jubilee Line on the
Underground give Stratford much better
connections to the rest of London and up
into Essex.
Pylons carry the electricity are being put
It is thought many old trees and vegetation
underground.
will be trampled on during the games.
Any recyclable waste material currently on
Environmental
derelict land is reused and all other waste
On the busiest days 800,000 people will
is being sent to fill in land holes.
travel through Stratford causing congestion
Several hundred new trees have been
and crowding.
planted in preparation for the games.
Contaminated soil (from heavy metals and
industrial waste) has taken away from the
site and replaced with clean soil.
Change in shopping provisions: Hoddesdon town centre
Hoddesdon

Hoddesdon is located on the A10 in Hertfordshire, Southeast England.

It is 8 miles north of the M25 motorway and 17 miles north of central London.

Hoddesdon High Street has many shops, including fast food outlets, pubs, estate agents, charity
shops, banks, travel agents, a bookshop and a library.
How have the service provisions changed?

In 2001 a Sainsburys superstore was opened up on the main road through Hoddesdon.
This attracted a large number of new people to the town.

UBS Triton Properties Fund bought the shopping precinct ‘Tower Centre’ for £7.9 million
in 2005. They have since splashed out £5.5 million redeveloping the site. The have tried
to attracted Nation Wide anchor stores in the precinct such as Debenham and Wilkinson
but this has proved unsuccessful.

There are now many empty units in the town centre with the loss of many independent
stores.
Why have these changes occurred?

The Watergardens development in Harlow was opened in 2004. It has a wide variety of
shops attracting many people away from shopping Hoddesdon.

Brookfield Farm Centre, in Cheshunt, contains a large Tesco and Marks and Spencers.
There is also a large Argos, Boots and Next and New Look. Brookfield farm has attracted
shoppers away from Hoddesdon.

Brookfield Farm and Harlow have led many nationwide stores to feel it not necessary to
move to the Hoddesdon.
Change in shopping provisions: Bluewater Shopping Centre

Bluewater was opened in 1999

It is built on a former chalk quarry close to the M25, M20 and A2.

It is also located near Ebbsfleet Channel Tunnel rail link

Cost £1.2 billion to build

The shopping centre has 3 anchor stores – John Lewis, M and S and House of Fraser.
There are also 320 shops and 3 leisure villages.
How have the service provisions changed?

Built on a former chalk quarry. The shopping centre attracts shoppers from the South East of
England who previously would have shopped at Lakeside and in central London.

10 million people live within an hour’s drive so people shop here rather than in other local shopping
facilities.

1.5 million live within a 20 minute drive
Impacts of the shopping centre

Shoppers spend £5.5 billion at Bluewater contributing this money to the economy

Created 5000 new jobs for local people

High impact on local high streets – Bromley, Gravesend and Dartford.

Over 1 million trees have been planted improving the environment of the Quarry.

There are strains on approach roads during busy seasons

Local people complain of increased noise and congestion.
Why have these changes occurred?

Research indicated local shoppers wanted somewhere ‘upmarket’. More so than Lakeside. There
are no supermarkets or convenience stores in Bluewater giving customers the top end they
wanted.

Population is growing in the SE of England therefore creating higher demand for shops.

The area along the north Kent coast has been declining with the closure of traditional industries
and dockyards. The shopping centre reduced the high unemployment rate and aimed to attract
more businesses to the area.
Theme 3:
Natural Hazards
Volcanic Eruption in a LEDC: Nevado del Ruiz, Colombia
When? 13th November 1985.
Where? Nevado del Ruiz is in a mountain range of the Andes. It is the highest Colombian
volcano.
What happened?

Lava erupted from the crater for the first time. The explosion was accompanied by heavy
rainfall.

Approximately 20 million cubic meters of hot ash and rocks were thrown into the air
across the snow-covered glaciers. These materials were transported by pyroclastic flow
and fast –moving hot clouds of gas and ash.

The melting snow and ice created large volumes of water to sweep down the canyons.

The eruption cost Columbia US$7.7 billion (20% of countries GDP at the time).
Who was affected?

23,000 people were killed.

5000 homes were destroyed when they were swept away by mud and ash.

5000 people were injured.
Why did it happen?
The volcano was produced by the subduction of the oceanic Nazca Plate beneath the South
American Plate. It is a destructive plate boundary.
Planning, Preparation and Response:

The Red Cross ordered an evacuation of the town.

Roads were blocked and rescue workers found it difficult to rescue survivors from the
deep mud.
Volcanic Eruption in a MEDC: Mount Etna, Italy
When? Mount Etna erupted throughout November 2002.
Where? Mount Etna is located in the Italian island, Sicily.
What happened?

Magma was thrown 100m into the air.

The lava ran down the mountain side.

Ash fell continuously onto the city of Catonia and drifted as far south as Libya.

1000 people had to leave their homes and many schools were shut down.

The airport in Catonia was closed for 4 days because the ash covered the runway and
clogged aeroplane engines.

The skiing season was disrupted with three lifts being damaged and a restaurant engulfed
in ash.

Hundreds of acres of forest on the slopes of the volcano were destroyed.
Who was affected?

The earthquake damaged more than 100 homes in Santa Venerina.

300 businesses affected by the eruption.

Businesses affected by disruption to tourist season – restaurant owner etc.
Why did it happen?

A series of earthquakes measuring 4.3 on the Richter scale accompanied many explosions.

The African plate, Eurasian Plate and Ionian Micro plate all meet converge into each other
to create Mt Etna.
Planning, Preparation and Response:

Holiday homes were taken over by local authorities to house the homeless people.

The town of Linguaglossa was evacuated before the eruption because of the lava flows.

The army cracked the tarmac in an attempt to divert the lava away from populated areas.

A ship equipped with a medical clinic was positioned off Catania.

The Government gave tax breaks to villagers to help them get through the crisis.

More than $8m (£5.6 million) was given by the Italian government for immediate financial
assistance.
Earthquake in a LEDC: Sichuan, China 2008
When? Monday 12th May 2008
Where? Epicentre was in Sichuan, China. Impacts of the earthquake were felt 100s of
miles away in Beijing and Thailand.
What?
830 water tanks collapsed
1300 water treatment works destroyed – impact on people, vegetation and
Environmental wildlife.
Impacts
2 chemical factories were destroyed spilling 80 tons of toxic liquid
ammonia.
Coal Mines badly damaged - threatens fuel supplies.
Economic
Lose of agricultural land – irrigation systems for 100,000 hectares of
Impacts
paddy fields destroyed
(money and
jobs)
Social
Impacts
(people)
>50,000 greenhouses destroyed
7.3million meter squared of livestock barns collapsed.
45 million people affected (69,000 people dead, 375,000 injured, 17,000
missing, 15 million people relocated, 5 million homes destroyed).
15 million buildings destroyed (places of work, 7000 schools, hospitals etc)
Who was affected?

Farmers – loss of agricultural land

People not able to go to work and school due to damage buildings, roads, railways.

Business people – loss of offices, services (e.g. shops) causes a large impact on peoples
income.
Why did it happen?

The earthquake measured 7.9 on the Richter Scale.

The plates involved were the Eurasian and the Pacific plate.

The deaths of the many children in schools was blamed on poorly built structures.

Many homes were built of mud and so collapsed very easily.
Planning, Preparation and Response:

The government allocated 27 million Yuan (£2 million) from its emergency relief fund for
the disaster.
Earthquake in MEDC: Italy 2009
When?

The main shock occurred on 6 April 2009.
Where?

The earthquake’s epicentre was near L'Aquila, the capital of Abruzzo. It is about 90km
north-east of Rome.
What happened?

Even some buildings thought to be earthquake proof collapsed. The local hospital’s new
wing was thought to be earthquake proof but one of the wall’s collapsed and it had to
close.

The earthquake caused damage to between 3,000 and 11,000 buildings. Around 65,000
people were made homeless.

Many of the buildings could not be earthquake proof because they are historical and
listed.
Who was affected?

300 people are known to have died and approximately 1,500 people were injured.

Around 40,000 people were made homeless
Why?

The earthqauke was caused by the African plate colliding with the Eurasian plate

It was rated 5.8 on the Richter scale.
Planning, Preparation and Response:

Aid was also offered by various organizations, companies, sport clubs and celebrities
including ACF Fiorentina, Madonna, and Fiat.

Prime Minister of Italy Silvio Berlusconi refused foreign aid for the emergency, saying
that Italians were "proud people" and had sufficient resources to deal with the crisis.

People were prepared by having a basic emergency tool kit to hand. It should include
simple tools and supplies like gloves, shovels, picks, sledgehammers, axes, etc.

All tax billing for all Abruzzo residents has been suspended by the government, as well as
mortgage payments.

10,000 people were housed in hotels on the coast.
Earthquake in MEDC: Japan 2011
When? Friday 11th March 2011
Where? The earthquake occurred 130km from the coastline and 32km below sea level
What happened?

The earthquake measured 9.0 on the Richter scale

Primary effects include the destruction of thousands of homes and the flooding of
large areas of land used for farming and industry

The biggest secondary impact of the earthquake was the tsunami it caused. It swept
away thousands of homes and entire villages on the east coast of the country.

The earthquake caused damage to a Nuclear Power Plant in Fukishma on the east coast
of Japan. Many people were left without an electricity supply and there is great
concern over the radioactive waste escaping from the damaged reactors.

Power lines and gas and water services were badly affected.

The earthquake and tsunami ruptured underground cables and pipes. This also led to
many fires.

Railway lines and airport runways were covered in mud and boats were washed ashore.

A dam burst its banks sweeping away many homes. A nuclear plant was affected,
leaking radiation 4,000 times higher than normal. This could have long term effects
for the people living nearby.

The total cost of repair is expected to be around £185 billion.
Who?

Over 27,000 people died or were missing from both the earthquake and consequent
tsunami

Hundreds of businesses have been affected. There has also been an impact on the
global economy as so many international companies rely on trade with Japan.

500,000 people were left homeless and living in shelters.
Why?
 The Pacific plate sanks below the Eurasion Plate at a subduction zone.
Prediction, preparation and response:

Billions of US dollars were pumped into the Japanese economy but their government to
try to prevent a melt down in trade and the stock exchange.

The Red cross arranged 230 teams to help. The UK and many other countries sent
people to help.

Shelters were set up in schools and sports halls for people displaced around the
nuclear plant and those made homeless. Water was disputed to those who needed it.

The Japanese meteorological agency sent an earthquake and tsunami warning to people
on TV, radio and mobile phones in the country. It meant thousands escaped.

Honda advertised which roads were open on its website so emergency services knew
which roads to use. Social network sites created pages to find missing people. Skype
provided free calls and access to the internet.

Japan is the most prepared country for natural disasters in the World. Children are
prepared with earthquake drills from a young age and so know what to do.

Tsunami warnings were issued to the coastline allowing for people to prepare. A siren
could be heard throughout towns and villages warning people of the tsuanmi.
Tropical Storm in MEDC: Hurricane Katrina 2005
When? August 2005.
Where? East coast of the USA in the areas of Mississippi, New Orleans and Louisiana.
What happened?

The river flooding through New Orleans burst allowing water into the city up to 3m
deep.

It was estimated 80% of New Orleans was under water.

Most of the roads in and out of the city were damaged. 2 major bridges collapsed.
Who?

The death toll was more than 1800 – many drowned and were not recovered from the
water for days.

Over 10,000 were made homeless.

Over 3,000 people were without electricity.
Why did it happen?

The hurricane began as a very low pressure weather system but strengthened as it
moved towards the Florida coast.

Flooding was made worst by the heavy rain. The levees on the river in New Orleans
were breached.
Prediction, preparation and response:

Many scientists are constantly monitoring the risk of hazards across the country.

On 28th August 1.2 million people were issues with evacuation orders.

57 emergency shelters were established in coastal areas.

The Louisiana Superdome was set up for people who could not leave the area.

There were not enough buses and coaches to evacuate all of the vulnerable people.

There was a shortage of food and no access to a clean water supply for survivors,
which raised problems of contaminated water and health risks.
Tropical Storm in MEDC: Hurricane Sandy 2012
When?
October 2012
Where?
New York, USA.
What happened?

The cost of repairing the damage was $60 billion

The storm covered 1000 miles in diameter, effecting 24 states

The three main airports were shut for 2 days

The New York Stock Exchange had to close for 2 days
Who?

It killed over 285 people (109 directly)

2 million people were without power
Why did it happen?

The hurricane started in the Caribbean

Wind speeds reached 80mph

There was a large storm surge in New York
Prediction, preparation and response:

50,000 Air Force and National Guard members were on standby

President Obama declared everyone should evacuate – 1 million people did

5,000 flights were cancelled before the storm hit

Bicycles were used in NYC to recharge laptops and mobile phones

The Red Cross offered temporary housing to 11,000 people
Tropical Storm in LEDC: Cyclone Nargis 2008
When? 29th April 2008
Where?
Cyclone Nargis hit the west coast of Myanmar/ Burma.
Myanmar is a LEDC with a population of 55 million. It is one of the poorest countries in
South-east Asia. The ruling military government have a desire to be isolated from the rest
of the World.
What happened?

83% of the mangrove swamps were destroyed. The mangroves served as a natural
barrier to stop storm surges. Their root systems slow water flow and absorb wave
energy.

95% of buildings were destroyed with all buildings suffering damage including roofs
being ripped off.

Sewage systems were overwhelmed, causing leakage which contaminated rice fields
and caused disease.

Electricity lines were destroyed, roads were swept away and dirty water encourages
vast numbers of mosquitoes to breed.
Who?

1.5 million people were severely affected.

The death toll was over 125,000 people. Many people drowned from the rising sea
levels.

Millions of people were made homeless.

Due to the flooding many farmers fields were destroyed, families were devastated and
development was put back a few years.
Why did it happen?

In later April an area of low pressure formed in the Bay of Bengal.
 By 2nd May the storm winds had reached speeds of over 217km bringing torrential rain.
Prediction, preparation and response

The American Typhoon Warning Centre in Hawaii monitored the storm as it got worse
and moved towards land.

Some of the naturally protective mangrove swamps had been converted into money
making shrimp farms, tourist resorts and for housing. This led to more areas being
damaged by the water because the mangroves had been cut down.

It is believed the government did not do as much as the rest of the World thought it
could.

Foreign aid workers were either no allowed in to help or were restricted for where
they could go.

More than one week after the storm first hit only 1 in 10 people affected had
received some sort of aid.

The army harassed volunteers and stopped journalists from covering the disaster on
the TV.