A year of volcanic eruptions! A review of major natural disasters in 2014

As 2014 comes to an end, it is time to look back at the major disasters that have occurred this year. This year has seen some devastating disasters around the world from hurricanes/typhoons, landslides, tornadoes, floods, volcano eruptions to earthquakes. It has been a busy year indeed!

There is no doubt that this year has been a year of volcanic eruptions. We have had numerous spectacular yet deadly eruptions. Some are continuing to erupt even now and will continue into the New Year. A few have been mentioned below.

Below is a list (in no particular order) of some of the most deadly disasters of 2014. Further details on each of disaster (including photos and videos) can be found on the blog.

Earthquakes:

Magnitude 6.2 Japan:

A magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck Japan on 22^nd November 2014. According to reports 39 people were injured, 7 of which were serious, 47 homes collapsed, 94 were severely damaged and a further 282 homes faced slight damage. 38 public buildings were also damaged.  Hakuba was the hardest hit area where 37 homes collapsed. In the village of Otari, 7 homes collapsed. Landslides caused as a result of the earthquake led to 200 people being evacuated from Hakuba and Otari. Fortunately there were no fatalities from this earthquake. 21 people were trapped under rubble but they were all rescued.

Magnitude 8.2, Chile:

A magnitude 8.2 earthquake struck Chile on 1^st April 2014. The earthquake was located 95 km (59 miles) northwest of Iquique, northern Chile. 6 deaths were confirmed and several injured. 300 inmates in Iquique escaped jail amongst the chaos caused by the earthquake and 131 returned voluntarily. The Chilean army was sent to the city to help relocate the remaining prisoners.

The earthquake caused damage to houses, power cuts, fire, landslides and road blockages. Damage has however limited considering the size of the earthquake. Several tsunami watches and warnings were issued in Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico and Honduras following the earthquake, causing thousands along the low-lying coastal areas to evacuate to higher ground. The watches and warnings were lifted after a 2.1m wave hit some areas around the coast and residents have returned.

Magnitude 6.9, Mexico:

A magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck Mexico on Monday 7^th July. 5 people were killed in both Guatemala and Mexico and over 30 injured in Guatemala alone. Three fatalities including a baby occurred in the town of San Marcos, Guatemala and two in Mexico. The earthquake also triggered numerous landslides, damaged utility poles, hundreds of homes, hospitals, schools and churches. According to reports 9000 homes have been damaged in Chiapas (Mexico), over 40 in Guatemala.

China:

589 people were killed and over 2833 were injured in China after a magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck northwest of Wenping in Yunnan Province on 3 August 2014. More than 1 million people were affected, 229,700 were left homeless and 230,000 were evacuated from the affected areas due to severe structural damage to buildings and infrastructure. Fatalities occurred in Ludian, Qiaojia, Huize and Zhaotong.

The earthquake caused devastation. More than 80,000 houses collapsed and a further 124,000 have suffered severe damage. Several roads and bridges were damaged during the earthquake. Roads were blocked due to landslides and access to some towns and villages such as Longquan Village in Ludian County were made impossible.

There were concerns due to a rising barrier lake formed by a landslide blocking River Niulan near the border of Ludian and Qiaojia. 4200 people downstream were evacuated due to the increasing threat of flooding. Estimates suggested that the earthquake cost $6.4 billion (38.48 billion CNY).

California:

An earthquake measuring 6.0 struck Northern California on 24 August. The earthquake was located 6 km (4 miles) NW of American Canyon and 9 km (6 miles) SSW of Napa. It was the largest earthquake to hit Bay Area since the magnitude 6.9 Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989.

In Napa, 89 people were injured, of which 3 were serious. Fortunately no deaths were reported. 69,000 people were left without power. The earthquake caused significant damage in Napa and American Canyon. Bridges and roads were damaged. Fires caused by the earthquakes destroyed four mobile homes. According to reports there were approximately 50 gas main breaks and 60 leaks from damaged water mains.

Landslides:

Jemblung, Central Java:

51 people were killed by a landslide in the village of Jemblung located in Central Java. 15 people were injured, of which 11 were serious. 105 houses, numerous roads and bridges were destroyed and 800 people were evacuated.

The landslide occurred on Friday 12^thDecember as a result of torrential rainfall. According to reports the landslide was over 6 metres deep in some locations. 2000 rescuers are still digging through the debris to find victims that are missing. The death toll is unfortunately likely to rise since it is unlikely that further survivors will be found.

Oso:

The landslide occurred in the town of Oso located in Washington State on 22^nd March 2014 at 10:37am. An area of 1 sq miles was covered by the landslide that occurred on a hillside known as Hazel Landslide. According to the USGS the main cause of the landslide was recent rain and soil saturation.

30 houses were covered and about a mile of main road. The debris from the landslide blocked the North Fork Stillaguamish River, increasing the risk of downstream flooding. 29 people were confirmed dead and 20 are missing. The estimated cost for the damage is $10 million and a further $32.1 million for the rescue and recovery effort.

Afghanistan:

Heavy rainfall triggered two landslides on Friday 2^nd May at 11am in the Badakhshan province of Afghanistan. 4000 people were displaced and fatalities report varied from 350 to 2700. 350 bodies were recovered but several remained missing and feared to be buried under 300 feet of mud and rock. 1000 homes were affected of which 370 have been entirely buried by the landslide.

Floods: 

Northern Haiti:

Floods and landslides caused by heavy rainfall killed 17 people in Northern Haiti. The floods and landslides destroyed 90 houses, severely damaged 800 and flooded a further 15000. 2200 hectares of crops were also flooded. Over 6500 people were left homeless and had to be housed in temporary shelters.

 Morocco:

Flash floods in southern Morocco killed 32 people. Fatalities were caused in the city of Guelmim near the Talmaadart River. A further 6 people were missing in the region of Guelmim, Ouarzazate and Marrakesh.

The storms which began on Saturday 22^nd November dropped 10 inches of rain in a few hours. Widespread damage was caused by the floods, 100 homes were destroyed, 100 roads of which 6 are national highways were also inundated and vehicles and trees were been swept away.

Solomon Islands:

19 people were killed after floods devastated Honiara, the capital of Solomon Islands. 10,000 people were left homeless. 40,000 people were affected by the floods. Homes and bridges were destroyed or swept away.

Europe Floods, May:

Devastating floods killed 53 people in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) and Croatia in May.

Floods across Europe, November:

Devastating floods affected countries across Europe including Italy, France and Switzerland. The floods caused extensive damage including inundation of farm land and roads, disruption to infrastructure including power lines and landslides.

A landslide as a result of the heavy rainfall claimed two fatalities. A further 2 people died as a result of landslides in the Davesco-Soragno area of Switzerland, located near Lugano. Another 4 people were injured from the same event. The total death toll from floods in Switzerland and Northern Italy increased to 15.

Tanzania:

Severe floods in Dar es Salaam claimed 41 lives on Sunday 13^th April. The country experienced heavy rainfall which triggered floods, causing numerous parts of the country to become inundated including the commercial capital Dar es Salaam.

The floods destroyed or severely damaged hundreds of homes leaving thousands homeless, farms and crops were also destroyed and numerous livestock killed. Infrastructure such as roads, bridges and the drainage network were badly damaged or swept away. Major roads linking to the rest of the country were cut off. The floods also caused the derailment of a train in the Dodoma Region in previous weeks which claimed the lives of 2 people. According to relief web 20,000 people were estimated to have been affected and 465 families were displaced. 669 families were left with no access to food or infrastructure.

Hurricanes/Typhoons/Cyclones:

Typhoon Hagupit/Ruby:

Typhoon Hagupit/Ruby developed on 29^th November and developed into a Category 5 storm on 4^th December with maximum sustained wind speeds of 290 km/h (180 mph) and recorded pressure 905 mbar. When the typhoon first made landfall over Eastern Samar on 6^th December it was a Category 3. It then weakened and was downgraded to a Category 2 when it made landfall over Cataingan, Masbate on 7^th December, Torrijos, Marinduque andSan Juan, Batangas on 8^th December.

 

In preparation a million people were evacuated from vulnerable regions in the Philippines. 183 flights were cancelled and five airports were also closed, some of which remained closed.

Even as a much weaker typhoon, Hagupit left a trail of devastation across some regions of the Philippines. There have been 27 confirmed fatalities, of which 18 were on the island of Samar. The typhoon destroyed 1000 homes, uprooted trees, and caused floods, landslides and power outages. According to reports 80% of homes in the town of Doloreson the island were destroyed. The cost of the damage is an estimated $74.7 US.

Typhoon Neoguri:

Typhoon Neoguri also known as Typhoon Florita, formed on 2^nd July 2014 and was upgraded to a typhoon on 4^th July. The maximum wind speed sustained by the typhoon was 250 km/h, a Category 4 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale. As Neoguri headed towards Japan, authorities urged thousands of residents to evacuate. 90,000 people on the island of Kyushu were advised to evacuate. 40 flights and numerous train services were also cancelled.

7 people were killed and over 45 injured in Okinawa. Thousands were also left without power in Okinawa, Nagano, and Kagoshima and a few buildings were completely destroyed or damaged. Damage due to flooding, wind and numerous landslides was extensive. Nagiso in Central Japan experienced numerous damaging landslides due to the heavy rain. According to reports; the agriculture industry suffered US$21.7 million worth of damage, the fishing industry suffered US$7.9 million worth of damage and the forestry industry suffered US$775,000 losses.

Typhoon Rammasun:

Typhoon Rammasun (also known as Glenda) has killed 20 people in the Philippines. 5 people were also reported missing. 460,000 people were affected by the typhoon. Rammasun became a typhoon on 14^th July with winds of over 120 km/h and made landfall on the 15^th.

400,000 people were evacuated including 370,000 people in Albay, businesses and schools were also closed and flights cancelled. The typhoon made landfall over central Philippines affecting the capital Manila. Rammasun struck the country with winds of up to 185 km/h. Thousands on the island of Luzon were without power. Rammasun has also uprooted trees and electricity poles, overturned vehicles and caused damage to numerous homes in the Philippines.

Typhoon Vongfong:

Super Typhoon Vongfong formed on 2 October 2014. It was a Category 5 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale and was the most intense cyclone in 2014. The highest wind speed recorded was 285 km/h (180 mph) and the lowest pressure recorded was 900 mbar.

9 people were confirmed dead and 2 missing. 4 were killed in the Philippines, 2 were killed in Taiwan and 3 were killed in Japan. The typhoon caused $58 million US worth of damage. Mariana Islands, Philippines, Taiwan, Caroline Islands, South Korea and Japan were affected.

Cyclone Hudhud:

Cyclone Hudhud formed on 7^th October over the Indian Ocean. It was a Category 4 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale and was the most destructive cyclone to affect India since Cyclone Nargis in 2008. The highest wind speed recorded was 215 km/h (130 mph) and the lowest pressure recorded was 950 mbar.

109 people were killed in total, of which 46 were in Andhra Pradesh and 43 in Nepal. Nearly $11 billion US worth of damage was caused. The cyclone caused devastation; villages were inundated in flood water, landslides were triggered by the heavy rainfall causing further damage, infrastructure including roads, power and communication poles were damaged, vehicles were damaged and trees were uprooted causing obstructions to roads. The roof of a terminal building at Visakhapatnam Airport was damaged, along with the runway which was inundated by flood water. Andaman and Nicobar Islands,Andhra Pradesh, Nepal, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh were all affected.

Hudhud travelled towards Nepal where it caused a further 43 fatalities due to avalanches, before dissipating on 14 October.

Volcano Eruptions:

Mount Ontake:

On 27^th September at 11:52 JST, Mount Ontakesan (also known as Ontake) erupted without warning. Mount Ontake is Japan’s second highest volcano (3067m). This year’s eruption was phreatic in nature and followed on from seismic tremor and uplift which were detected just 11 minutes before the eruption.

The eruption on the 27^thejected an ash plume which reached heights 7 to 10km and ash fall affected the area in the vicinity, measuring 50cm in thickness around the crater. The deadly pyroclastic flow which was responsible for the fatalities travelled 3km down the south flank of the volcano.

57 fatalities occurred, 70 were injured and a further 6 are still missing. Search and rescue efforts to find the missing have been suspended due to winter and will resume in spring. The Alert Level has been raised to 3 (on a scale of 1 to 5) since the eruption and remains a 3.

Mount Kelut:

2 people were killed and over 100,000 people were forced to evacuate from the vicinity of Mount Kelut (Kelud) after it erupted explosively on 13^th February at around 23:29 (local time). Since the beginning of January 2014 there was an increase in both shallow and deep volcanogenic earthquakes along with an increase in water temperature at the crater lake, leading to the alert level being raised to 3 (out of 4) and a 5km restriction zone around the crater.

Approximately 90 minutes before the alert was raised to 4, the volcano erupted resulting in the explosion being heard 125 miles (200 km) away and an ash column reaching 30 km into the atmosphere. Over 200,000 people in 36 villages located 6 miles (10 km) from the volcano were advised to evacuate immediately.

3 international airports in Surabaya, Solo and Yogyakarta were shut down due to the widespread ash which was reported to be up to 5 cm thick. Towns and cities as far away as 80 miles (130 km) away have experienced ash falls up to 5 cm thick.

Ash fall also caused roofs to collapse under the weight of the ash leading to the 2 reported deaths. Just a few centimetres of ash can cause roofs to collapse especially poorly constructed ones made of weak material.

Ubinas:

4000 residents and 30,000 livestock in the vicinity of Ubinas were evacuated by the authorities as volcanic activity increased in April. Evacuations occurred within the 20km radius of Ubinas. Ashfall from the volcano covered farmland and affected 12 villages including Ubinas (6.5 km SSE), Huatagua (14 km SE), Anascapa (11 km SE), Tonohaya (7 km SSE), San Miguel (10 km SE), Sacuaya, Querapi (4 km S), San Juan de Tarucani, Escacha, Ichuña, Yungas, and Chojata.

Activity at the volcano included; increased seismic activity including harmonic tremors, lava emissions/eruptions, gas emissions, explosions and ash and tephra falls. Volcanic bombs measuring up to 20 cm in diameters were erupted within 1km of Ubinas and an ash column. Explosions from the eruption were heard 6 km away from the volcano and ash columns have been emitted up to 4km into the atmosphere.

Sangeang Api:

Following an increase in seismic activity, Mount Sangeang Api, erupted on 30^th May. The eruption began at 15:55 on 30^thMay causing an ash plume to rise 3 km into the atmosphere. The column travelled to the west of the volcano and the Alert Level was raised to 3 (on a scale of 1-4). On 31^stMay at 13:30 and 22:42, to large explosions took place causing ash plumes to rise 13.7 to 15.2 km (45,000-50,000 ft) into the atmosphere. The ash plumes travelled 280 km northwest affecting Bima Regency.

The volcanic island is inhabited and used only for farming purposes, therefore no fatalities or injuries were reported. Authorities did however order an evacuation of 135 residents within 1.5 km of the volcano as precautionary measures.

As a result of the ash plume, flights were cancelled or disrupted in Bima and Tabmolaka Airports and Darwin Airport due to safety concerns. According to reports flights have now resumed. The eruption is yet to seize. On 1^st June ash plumes reached heights of 4.3 km and travelled west and southwest and on 2-3^rd June further ash plumes reached heights of 3-4.3 km and drifted 45 km west.

Piton de la Fournaise:

The volcano erupted after 3.5 years on 21 June 2014. The last eruption at this volcano was in December 2010. Piton de la Fournaise is basaltic shield volcano located on the FrenchIsland of Reunionin the western Indian Ocean. The volcano is one of the world's most active volcano with 3 calderas, numerous pyroclastic and cinder cones and craters. The volcano is generally associated with fluid basaltic lava flows; however evidence of explosive activity is also present including a VEI 5 eruption in 2700 BCE. The recent eruption ended on 22 June.

Tavurvur:

An unexpected eruption at Tavurvur occurred on 29 August 2014. Tavurvur cone is located in Rabaul caldera on New Britain, Papua New Guinea. The eruption sent an ash cloud 18 km into the atmosphere. Crops were destroyed as a result of the ash fall out and flights were diverted. Several local communities were evacuated as a precautionary measure. Activity began to subside during September.

Pavlof:

On 12 November increased seismicity lead to the eruption of Pavlof located in Alaska. The eruption began at 3:00 AKST. The ash plume height on the 12^th reached 2.7km. Alaska Volcano Observatory increased the Aviation Code to Orange and the Alert Level to watch. Lava fountains erupted from the vent in the north of the summit and rock avalanches travelled down the north flank of the volcano. On 15 November, the Aviation Code was increased from Orange to Red and the Alert Level from a watch to warning after the eruption intensified. The Ash plume reached an estimated 9 km.

On 16^th November the intensity of the eruption decreased, the Aviation Code was dropped to Orange and the Alert Level was also dropped back down to a Watch. Seismic activity decreased and has continued to decrease. Activity has paused or is minimal, however the threat of further activity exists since pauses between eruptions is in character with the volcano.

Bardarbunga/Holuhraun:

Seismic activity increased at Iceland’s Bárdarbunga volcano from 13^thAugust Earthquakes varied in size, some even measured 5.7. It was not until 29^th August when the first fissure eruption occurred in Holuhraun lava field located 5 km north of the Dyngjujökull glacier. The fissure measured 600m in length. The eruption over the following months involved lava plumes and effusive lava flows flowing north, gas and steam.

On 5^th September less effusive eruptions started to make place from two new fissures located 2 km away from the Dyngjujökull glacier. Two growing depressions indicating sub-glacial activity were also observed. According to the Icelandic Meteorology Office, on 7^th September the lava effusion rate was 100-200 cubic meters per second.

On 14^th September surveys and data indicated that a 23m subsidence had occurred at the Bárðarbunga caldera. This increased to 28m on 24^thSeptember and 42m on 31^st October. The rate of susidence varied, between 15^th and 21^st October it was occurring at 30 to 40cm per day.

Lava flows were also flowing towards east and west, adding to the increasing lava field. By 15^th the lava field has covered 78.6 square kilometres and is continuing to grow. The eruption is currently ongoin in the form of effusive lava eruption.

Sinabung:

Mount Sinabung continues to erupt in Indonesia. Several small to moderate pyroclastic flows have been occurring due to column collapse over the last few months. Rock avalanches have also occurred numerous times. Ash plumes have been rising to over 6 km into the atmosphere. Viscous lava flows, travelling 5-6km from the crater have also been occurred. A lava dome continues to grow on the summit.

14 to 16 people were killed by an eruption in February. Residents had entered the exclusion zone when the eruption of ash and pyroclastic density currents took place. The eruption has damaged crops, properties and has poisoned several animals. Over 20,000 residents living in the vicinity of the volcano were evacuated since the volcano first became restless. In September, around 4700 people remain in evacuation shelters.

Fogo:

The eruption at Fogo started on the morning of Sunday 23^rd November. Fogo volcano is a 2829 m stratovolcano located on the island of Fogo, Cape Verde. Lava fountains, lava flows and an ash plume have been erupting.

The eruption has forced residents in the vicinity of the volcano to evacuate, seeking shelter in previously built temporary accommodations. No fatalities or injuries have been reported.

Fogo has destroyed 95% of the village of Portelaand 70% of Bangaeira. An estimated 1500 people from these two villages have been left homeless by lava flows that have buried and destroyed their homes and infrastructure. Fortunately no casualties have been reported due to early evacuation of the two locations.

The lava flows are currently travelling towards Fernão Gomes. A forest perimeter known as Old Mount is also at threat from being buried by the flows, the two lava flows are approximately 3000 meters from the Old Hill forest perimeter. Although there is uncertainty regarding the path of the lava flows, it is feared that the lava flows may affect other villages and cities such as Monte Velha, Tinteira, Grass, Achada Grande and Corvo before reaching the sea. Further evacuations of some of these locations are currently being discussed by authorities.

The situation has clearly left the island of Fogo devastated. Donations are already being collected for the victims of the eruption and aid is being provided to the evacuees. The eruption is currently ongoing.

Kilauea Lava Flows:

Lava flows from Kilauea have caused havoc this year. Several homes and infrastructure have been destroyed by the lava flows. Lava flows are continuing to threaten communities on the island.

Gamalama, Indonesia:

Gamalama, a stratovolcano located in Ternate (Indonesia) erupted on Thursday18^th December. The eruption forced the closure of an airport located in Maluku on the island due to the ash fall. Schools and offices also faced closure. A reported 5 cm of ash covered the airports runway. The airport remained closed on the 21^st December four days after the eruption began. Fortunately there were no fatalities, however four hikers were injured.

Nishinoshima:

The new island which began to form in 2013 continues to erupt and grow. On 16^th September an ash plume reached a height of 3000 km.

Lopevi, Vanuatu:

Sudden increase in activity on 15^th December led to the Alert Level being raised to 1 (on a scale of 0-4).

Nevado del Ruiz:

An ash plume travelled 20 km south on 15^th December after an ash eruption was confirmed.

Mayon:

An increase in activity has been reported at Mayon since 13^th August when there was a growth of a lava dome. Ground deformation, earthquakes, gas emissions, numerous rock falls and lava flows have all been taking place at the volcano.

A 6 km Permanent Danger Zone was placed and evacuation took place within this restricted area in September. A 7 km Extended Danger Zone has also been placed. On 17^th September 24,000 people had evacuated from villages in the surrounding 8 km of Mayon due to increase in activity. According to some reports, towards the end of September approximately 54,000 people were living in temporary shelters. The Alert Level has remained a 3 (on scale of 0-5) since the activity begun.

 Tornadoes:

Wessington Springs Tornado:

On Wednesday 18^th June just before 8pm an EF2 tornado touched down in the small town of Wessington Springs. The town of 1000 people is located in central South Dakota. The tornado left a path of destruction with several homes and businesses being destroyed or damaged. 1 person was reported injured.

Pilger tornadoes:

On 16^th June 2014 a storm cloud produced 4 tornadoes, of which two were rare twin tornadoes a mile apart from each other. Although multiple tornadoes do occur, what made these rare was the fact that there was no dominant tornado and they were both strong EF4 tornadoes with winds of 200 mph.

The tornadoes touched down in the small town of Pilger causing devastation. 2 people were killed and 19 were left injured of which 16 were in critical condition. 75% of the building in Pilger destroyed or damaged. A local school also heavily damaged.

Tornado outbreak in Central and Southern America:

18 people were killed and several injured by tornadoes that struck the Southern and Central US States on Sunday 27^th April. 16 of the fatalities occurred in Little Rock, Arkansas and one in Quapaw, north-east of Oklahoma.

The intense storm system caused numerous tornado outbreaks, flash floods and hail storms as it travelled across the region. More than 8 tornadoes, EF2 or above in size were reported. Tornadoes were reported in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa and Missouri.

The towns of Mayflower and Vilonia in Faulkner County were the worse of the affected towns, taking a direct hit with widespread devastation left behind. Hundreds of homes, businesses, public buildings, schools and infrastructure were completely destroyed or were significantly damaged, cars and trailers were crushed by trees and power lines and debris were carried by the tornadoes and thrown meters away from the origin.

Further tornadoes touched down again in central and southern America including Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee on 29^th April 2014 leaving a path of destruction and claiming more lives. The total death from the outbreaks was 35.

Tupelo in Mississippi and Louisville were the worse hit on Monday. 9 people died in the town of Louisville when a tornado rated as an EF4 struck the town. 2 people were also killed in Lincoln County.