Geography Paper

The Philippines is considered a disaster hotspot, susceptible to volcanoes, earthquakes, typhoons, tsunamis and floods. The Philippines in very vulnerable to hazards as poverty and human development is so variable; in outlying areas and small islands. Increasing urbanisation can add to earthquake and typhoon vulnerability. Physical factors have also affected the vulnerability of The Philippines, such as slopes, increase land degradation and deforestation have increased susceptibility to secondary hazards such as landslides during earthquakes and flash flooding during typhoons. A hazard risk requires people to be present/affected, and the severity of the disasters created in the Philippines effects it population.
A disaster hotspot is a location with risk from two or more hazard groups: tectonic hazards (geophysical) and hydro-meteorological hazards. This means they are likely to be where plate boundaries intersect with major storm belts and they are also in areas of high human concentration in low or medium developed countries because this effects whether or not the country will be prepared thoroughly enough and whether it can recover quickly.
The Philippines lies on a boundary between the Philippine and Eurasian tectonic plates, whereby the Eurasian plate is sub ducted underneath the former; this is defined as a destructive plate boundary, as the plates move in series of ‘jerks’, as the friction between them creates earthquakes. The Philippines also lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire, whereby frequent and violent eruptions and earthquakes occur (like Pinatubo in 1991). The most severe volcanic eruptions occur on destructive plate boundaries. As the subducted Eurasian plate metls underneath the mantle, the molten rock forms a magma chamber; with some of this magma becoming explosive when combines with gases inside the chamber. This magma then solidifies just below the earth’s surface, forming a solid cap over the volcano’s vent. Pressure then builds up underneath, so when a volcanic blast does occur, its force is great. 13% of eruptions have caused deaths and 22% of economic damage, most notably at Taal and Mayon. Resulting tsunamis are catalysed by these violent eruptions.
Frequent tropical cyclones (typhoons averaging to 10 per year) occur due to the Philippines adopting appropriate weather conditions/location. For example, these low-pressure weather systems occur 5-20 degrees north and south of the equator, and the Philippines lies 5-20 degrees north. Due to the warm sea temperature being suitable enough for the El Nino cycle, the location enables tropical cyclone s to generate enough spin. Another secondary physical factor is mudslides. These mudslides can cause deaths as heavy piles of earth crush those underneath.
In conclusion, the physical factors of the Philippines catalyse a range of hazard risks in the Philippines, including hydro-meteorological hazards and those of a geophysical nature, including the presence of earthquakes and typhoons, considered to be hazard risks due to their capabilities of effecting a vulnerable population.