Which mass movement case study best illustrates hazard risk management?

The Aberfan disaster in Wales, 1966, is a significant case study illustrating hazard risk management.

The Aberfan disaster was a catastrophic collapse of a colliery spoil tip in the Welsh village of Aberfan, near Merthyr Tydfil, on 21 October 1966. The tip had been placed on a mountain slope above the village, which was made up of glacial material that was highly permeable and unstable. After weeks of heavy rain, the tip became saturated and slipped, resulting in a landslide that engulfed a farm, twenty houses and a school. Tragically, 144 people were killed, 116 of whom were children.

The Aberfan disaster is a prime example of poor hazard risk management. Despite numerous warnings and concerns raised by the local community about the placement of the tip, the National Coal Board (NCB) failed to act. The NCB had not carried out a proper risk assessment of the site, nor had they implemented any risk management strategies. This lack of action and disregard for safety measures led to the devastating landslide.

In the aftermath of the disaster, the UK government established the Aberfan Disaster Tribunal to investigate the causes and circumstances of the landslide. The tribunal found the NCB to be at fault for the disaster due to their negligence and disregard for the safety of the local community. This led to significant changes in UK legislation regarding the management of spoil tips and the importance of hazard risk management.

The Aberfan disaster serves as a stark reminder of the importance of hazard risk management. It highlights the need for thorough risk assessments, the implementation of risk management strategies, and the importance of listening to and acting upon the concerns of local communities. It also demonstrates the potential consequences of failing to manage hazard risks effectively. This case study is often used in geography and environmental science courses to illustrate the principles of hazard risk management and the potential impacts of human negligence on the environment and local communities.