CERO- Information on Other Disaster Events

Landslides- What are landslides and their characteristics?

Landslides are down slope transport of soil and rock resulting from naturally occurring vibrations, changes in direct water content, removal of lateral support, loading with weight, and weathering, or human manipulation of watercourses and slope composition.

Landslides vary in types of movement (falls, slides, topples, lateral spread, flows) and may be secondary effects of heavy storms, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions. Landslides are more widespread than any other geological event.

Epidemics- What is an epidemic and its general characteristics? An epidemic is the occurrence of a number of cases of a disease known or suspected to be parasitic or infectious origin that is unusually large or unexpected for the place and time. Examples of diseases that cause epidemics are Dengue, Malaria, Cholera and typhoid.
General Characteristics of an epidemic are:
1. Risk of introduction or spread of the disease.
2. Possible large number of cases of the disease.
3. Severe cases leading to disability or death.
4. Risk of social or economic disruption.
5. Lack of adequate professional personnel and needed supplies.
6. Danger of international transmission.

Likely causes of an epidemic:
1 Unsanitary conditions, over-crowding and poverty.
2 Contamination of water and food supply
3 Non-immune persons migrate to endemic disease areas
4 Ecological changes that favour breeding of vector
5 Poor nutrition

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Technological and Man-Made Disasters
Many of these disasters are caused by industrial accidents when hazardous materials are released into the environment.
Listed below are types of accidents that can occur and become a disaster:
1 Production of materials
2 Transport of materials
3 Technological system failures
4 Contamination of food or the environment by the use of chemicals, or improper waste management
5 Explosion in a plant or storage facility handling toxic substances
6 Arson or sabotage
7 Other precipitating factors like lightning, floods and earthquakes.

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Earthquakes- What is an earthquake and how does it occur?

An earthquake is sudden motion or trembling of the ground produced by the abrupt displacement of rock masses

The earth's outer shell is divided into seven major and some smaller plates, which are constantly in a dynamic state, pushing against, pulling away from, or grinding past one another. Forces build up as the plates attempt to move in relation to each other. When the adhesions along the fault give way, stored energy is released in the form of earth tremors (earthquakes), volcanic activity etc.

Volcanic eruptions

The term volcano signifies a mountain or hill with an opening or vent from which gaseous liquid or solid materials from the earth's interior are ejected. The term is also used for the accumulation of volcanic materials even if no active vent presently exists

Expected Hazards:

Blasts and projectiles: - Large projectiles can damage buildings and if hot enough, start fires

Mud flows (lahars): - They accompany volcanic eruptions and can be lethal

Pyroclastic flows: - Mixture of hot gases, ash, fine pumice and rocks. Hazards include body surface burns, inhalation injuries and asphyxia

Gases: - They are concentrated near the volcanic crater or fissure and may be asphyxiates

Lava Flows: - very dangerous

Local Earthquakes: - possible loss of human life and property

Tsunamis: - occurrence is unpredictable and can destroy coastlines