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Physical Systems and Processes of Southeast Asia and the Pacific

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Physical Systems and Processes of Southeast Asia and the Pacific

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The study of Southeastern Asia and the Pacific offers incredible insight into a region dominated by earthquakes and volcanic activity. Nowhere else in the world has such incredible seismologic activity combined with both active and dormant volcanoes. This location impacts not only the actual existence of the region itself, but also the flora and fauna found there, as well as the presence of incredible natural disasters on a regular basis.

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A Picture Tells a Story

Examine the image above. What do you see? Is this an example of what pollution can do over time? Write a paragraph about what you see in the picture. Later in this section, you will watch a tutorial that will answer the questions.

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An island is any piece of land surrounded by water. Islands can be formed in different ways. Oceanic islands are islands that do not sit on continental shelves. These types of islands are mostly volcanic in origin. If an island is not directly formed through volcanic activity, it might be the result of being located over a volcanic hotspot where a series of islands are created.

The movement and collision of crustal plates is the way that most of the islands of the Pacific have been formed over time. For example, throughout the Pacific, one can find many examples of island arcs. An island arc is a type of archipelago formed by plate tectonics. One plate goes under another plate and produces magma. The Philippines, Mariana Islands, and Tonga are a few examples of island arcs.

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The Ring of Fire is a zone of frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions that encircles the basin of the Pacific Ocean. It is shaped like a horseshoe. The southern portion of the Ring of Fire is complex due to the presence of a series of smaller tectonic plates in collision with the Pacific Plate from the Mariana Islands, the Philippines, Tonga, and New Zealand. Volcanic activity in New Zealand is due to the country's position on the boundary between the Indo-Australian and Pacific Plates. Because of its location, the region north of New Zealand's North Island is made up of seamounts and small islands – including 16 underwater volcanoes!

The Ring of Fire has 452 volcanoes (approximately 75% of the world’s volcanoes) and is home to more than 90% of the world’s earthquakes. Many of these earthquakes occur underwater and are barely felt by any people. The volcanoes of Indonesia are formed due to subduction zones between the Eurasian Plate and the Indo-Australian Plate. A subduction zone is an area where two plates move toward each other and one moves under the other. Some volcanoes have erupted more than others. For example, Mount Canlaon, located in the Philippines, is the most active volcano in the region and has erupted 25 times since 1866. However, the volcanoes found in Indonesia are the most active of the region. The region is accustomed to severe earthquakes and volcanoes, but they are not always well prepared. In recent years, greater effort has been made to create early warning systems for the citizens to mitigate damage from large earthquakes and volcanoes. In 1991, scientists correctly predicted the onset of one of the largest eruptions of the 20th century at Mount Pinatubo. Due to this early warning, tens of thousands of people were evacuated and their lives were saved.

There are many oceanic trenches in this region. A trench is a long, but narrow, topographic depression on the bottom of the sea. Oceanic trenches generally extend 1.9 to 2.5 miles below the level of the surrounding oceanic floor. The deepest known trench is the Mariana Trench.

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The Sumatra-Andaman earthquake generated a catastrophic tsunami that caused heavy damage and fatalities in coastal areas around the Indian Ocean on December 26, 2004. A tsunami is a series of huge waves that happen after an undersea disturbance, such as an earthquake or volcano eruption. The waves caused by a tsunami are sometimes mistakenly called "tidal waves," but tsunamis have nothing to do with the tides.

This disaster is often called The Boxing Day Tsunami due to the fact that it falls on the European holiday called Boxing Day – the day after Christmas. This tsunami is the deadliest tsunami in recorded history - killing more than 225,000 people in eleven countries! Scientists have estimated that the earthquake that generated the great Indian Ocean tsunami of 2004 is estimated to have released the energy of 23000 Hiroshima-type atomic bombs.

Although some of the tsunami waves took anywhere from 15 minutes to 7 hours to reach various coastlines, most citizens were clearly not prepared because there was no tsunami warning system in place in the Indian Ocean. Additionally, due to the relative poverty of the region, there was no good way to warn the citizens.

As well as the sideways movement between the plates, the sea bed is estimated to have risen by several meters, displacing an estimated 7 cubic miles of water and triggering devastating tsunami waves. Humans played a large role in the devastation caused by the tsunami waves – destroying the coral reefs, eliminating coastal mangrove trees, and eliminating coastal sand dunes are all a cause for increased devastation and destruction. According to specialists, the greatest long-term environmental impact from the tsunami is due to the infiltration of the freshwater supplies and arable farmland by the sea water – poisoning the water and land with large amounts of salt.

Following the great Sumatra-Andaman earthquake, many aftershocks and triggered earthquakes were felt throughout the region. A "triggered earthquake" typically differs from an aftershock in that it is not located along the same fault line and may be as large, or larger, than the earthquake which triggered it.

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"On this first day of a new year, we join the world in feeling enormous sadness over a great human tragedy... The carnage is of a scale that defies comprehension."

George W Bush, US President

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Topography of Southeast Asia and the Pacific

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Topography of Southeast Asia and the Pacific

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Volcanism impacts the topography of Southeast Asia and the Pacific more than anything else. In New Zealand, volcanic activity has been responsible for many of the country's geographical features, especially in the North Island, but it has also claimed many lives throughout history. The topography of Fiji is similar to most other islands in the South Pacific. The islands are also mostly volcanic in origin with a substantial number of the smaller islands being formed by the build up of coral deposits.  Sometimes, atolls are also formed. The photo below is a picture of an atoll. Atolls are rings of coral reef and small sandy islands that form around a lagoon. Coral reefs generally form on submerged volcanic islands and the reef eventually gets large enough to reach the surface.

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Climate and Ecosystems of Southeast Asia and the Pacific

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Climate and Ecosystems of Southeast Asia and the Pacific

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The climate in Southeast Asia is mainly tropical–hot and humid all year round. Ecologically, the Philippines is one of the most diverse countries – not only in Southeast Asia – but in the world. Most of the mountainous islands are covered in tropical rainforest, and are volcanic in origin. Due to the volcanic origin of the islands, mineral deposits are abundant. The Philippines also has fertile lands, diverse flora and fauna, and extensive coastlines. There are three distinct seasons in the Philippines – the hot season, the rainy season, and the cold season.  The animals throughout Southeast Asia are diverse. However, population pressures, especially in places like Indonesia, are starting to threaten these unique habitats, with species such as Orangutan, for example. Additionally, due to the increasing population in many areas, deforestation is increasing at a rapid pace. Thick haze, habitat loss, and the potential extinction of plant and animal species are all impacts of deforestation. Animals such as the Wild Asian Water Buffalo and the Hornbill are both threatened due to loss of habitat and the Javan Rhinoceros is even believed to be extinct. The Domestic Asian Water Buffalo can be seen throughout the region, but many of its related species have dwindling population or are extinct.

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One of the most fascinating ecosystems of the Pacific is the Great Barrier Reef located along the western shore of Australia. Learn more about this incredible natural phenomenon