Small industrial town in South Wales, landslide occurred on 21st October 1966
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Causes: Human
Mining debris had dumped forming piles directly above Aberfan for 50 years, the instability of the slope was known but there was no management.
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Causes: physical
Piles were on top of porous sandstone and some on underground springs. There was prolonged rainfall, one of tips seeped water, removing material and increasing gradient. Lack of vegeation
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Effects: Human
147 dead- 116 of whom were school children, school destroyed, 20 homes buried, social tensions, PTSD. 2million GBP costs
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Effects: environmental
2 million tonnes of falling material, river Taff was clogged
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Immediate response
lack of communication when workers saw the pile had tilted, 2000 people hunted for survivors
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Long term response
National Coal Board found responsible- paid 500GBP to families who lost children. Did not fire/discipline any workers. Aberfan memorial set up- donations equivalent of 21.4million GBP in 2008- lots of which was used to make the land safe.
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Other cards in this set
Card 2
Front
Causes: Human
Back
Mining debris had dumped forming piles directly above Aberfan for 50 years, the instability of the slope was known but there was no management.
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