Browsing by Author "Phillips, Emma"

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Akha zangr : the Akha system of sustainable development and its conflicts with Thailand's development process : a thesis presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy in Development Studies at Massey University
    (Massey University, 2003) Phillips, Emma
    This thesis assesses Akha "zangr" ("way of life") as an indigenous system of development relevant to Akha development in the highlands of Thailand. It uses the principles of sustainable development studies, incorporating empowerment, gender, environment, health, education, justice, equality, poverty and participation as a framework for the assessment. This is the first study to examine Akha zangr as a system of sustainable development. It follows on from the description given by Alting von Geusau (1999) of Akha zangr as a "system for the sustainability and continuity of the Akha as a margnialised people". It is an attempt to empower the Akha community by giving credit to their knowledge and system of development as a modern rather than traditional system relevant to the 21st century. In Thailand there are nine ethnic groups officially recognised as indigenous to the highlands, each with a unique language and "zangr" based on strategies for survival and development in the highland environment. This thesis describes their common experiences of the Thai development process. Consequences include political and social exclusion from participation in the development process, their unjustified label as "problem makers" in Thai politics, and the inaccurate assessment of Mountain People as ignorant and backward. Disastrous impacts of foreign development in the highlands include deforestation, poverty, human rights abuses and a loss of cultural independence and knowledge for minority ethnic groups. Thailand's development process is examined based on increasing economic growth. Discussions focus on the industrialisation period initiated in the 1950's until the present day that, on paper, closely follow trends in international development thought. Thailand's policies of sustainable development have so far been ineffective in reducing environmental degradation from rapid economic growth and instead exclude local people from participating in the management of the environment. The assessment concludes that Thailand's top-down national economic growth policies have failed to improve the quality of life for the most disadvantaged people in Thai society and instead have caused massive environmental degradation, increased poverty, inequalities and the disempowerment of individuals and the community.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Forecasting the consequences of the failure of the eastern rim of Crater Lake, Mount Ruapehu : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Earth Science at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2011) Phillips, Emma; Phillips, Emma
    A numerical code for simulating dry flows of granular material, Titan2D, was used to model a range of possible collapse scenarios and resulting debris avalanches from a possible failure of the eastern crater rim of Mount Ruapehu, New Zealand. The eastern rim of Crater Lake, Mount Ruapehu consists of a stratigraphic sequence of intercalating volcaniclastic diamictons, pyroclastics and lavas, some of which are highly hydrothermally altered. This rim is under outward pressure from Crater Lake and constitutes one of the steepest parts of the active volcano. Its sudden failure could involve up to 50 million m³ of rock material, almost certainly generating a debris avalanche and/or a break-out lahar up to 9 times the size of the March 2007 event. A failure of hydrothermally altered flank materials on this side of the volcano has already occurred (c. 4600 yrs Mangaio Fm. (Donoghue & Neall, 2001)). A quantitative hazard and risk analysis of this scenario has never been undertaken, despite ongoing hydrothermal alteration and considerable sapping of both the inside and outside of the rim from explosive eruptions and base surges during the 1995/1996 and 2007 eruptions. New stratigraphic data were integrated with existing high-resolution topographic information and aerial photography to produce a detailed map of the eastern rim to highlight the distribution of contrasting stratigraphic sequences and the distribution of those units with the largest degree of alteration. This information was used as the first step towards defining the likelihood of different failure volumes and geometries to be tested in numerical hazard simulations. A quantitative scenariobased hazard forecast for partial or full collapse of the crater rim and subsequent events was determined. Simulated data of flow run out, inundation, diversion, velocity and mass transport were analysed to identify the resulting hazards for the Whangaehu and Tongariro River catchments. The results of this research suggest that the Mangatoetoenui, Upper Waikato, Tongariro and Whangaehu River catchments could be greatly affected by a sudden collapse of the eastern rim and any subsequent lahar events.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Quantifying slope-channel coupling in an active gully and fan complex at Tarndale, Waipaoa catchment, New Zealand
    (2010-11-18T20:34:46Z) Fuller, Ian C; Dean, Josh F; Phillips, Emma; Massey, Chris; Marden, Mike
    Two RIEGL LMS‐Z420i scanner surveys (November 2007 and November 2008) of the Tarndale Gully complex and its associated fan were used to generate a digital elevation model (DEM) of difference in order to quantify gully‐fan‐channel connectivity. The Te Weraroa Stream, into which the first order Tarndale system feeds, is buffered from sediment generated by the gully complex by a fan. Sediment yields and the role of the fan in buffering Te Weraroa Stream are inferred from the TLS of the entire complex. DEM analysis suggests that c.25% of material derived from the gully is buffered from the stream by being stored in the fan. This figure was applied to fan behaviour since December 2004, mapped on nine successive occasions using detailed GPS surveys to get a longer‐term picture of sediment supply within the system and appraise a qualitative assessment of connectivity constructed on the basis of fan behaviour alone.