Environmental Hazards Past paper questions Flashcards
Study Diagram Q11A.
Describe, in detail, the distribution of cities most threatened by earthquakes. (4)
Q11ASQANAT52015
Most cities are located on or near plate boundaries (1) where seismic
activity is highest (1). Most earthquake threatened cities are found in
developing countries (1) like Indonesia (1). A large number of threatened
cities are found in China (1). Three cities in Africa are at risk (1). All
threatened cities in the USA are found on the west coast (1) with a cluster
around San Francisco/Los Angeles (1).
) Look at Diagram Q11B.
Explain, in detail, the strategies used to reduce the impact of an earthquake.
You must refer to named examples you have studied in your answer. (6)
Q11BSQANAT52015
In Japan people take part in earthquake drills to practise what to do in the
event of an earthquake (1) giving them a better chance of survival (1). The
government warn people, using text messages and TV, giving them the
chance to move to a safer place (1). Earthquake resistant buildings reduce
the number of people trapped or killed (1). Sprinkler systems and gas cut
off valves prevent fires spreading reducing the number of people injured
and buildings destroyed (1). People living in earthquake prone areas have
emergency plans in place and emergency supplies such as bottled water
and tinned food are stockpiled to ensure they have vital supplies to survive
in the event of an earthquake (2). In the event of an earthquake short
term aid in the form of food, medicine and shelter is sent to the area to
treat the injured (1).
Study Diagram Q11A.
Describe, in detail, the distribution of the world’s volcanoes. (4)
Q11ASQANAT52014
Most volcanic activity is found on plate boundaries (1). Many volcanoes are
located on the west coast of South America (1) where the Nazca plate
meets the South American plate and is forced underneath it (1). Many
volcanoes are found along the mountain ranges of the Andes in South
America and the Rockies in North America (2).
Look at Diagram Q11B.
For the Japanese earthquake, or any other named earthquake you have
studied, describe, in detail, the impact on people and the landscape.(6)
If Japanese Earthquake chosen:
The earthquake caused a tsunami which flooded the land (1). Cars, ships
and buildings were swept away by the wall of water (1). Nuclear reactor
plant damaged (1). Thousands of people living near the Fukushima nuclear
power plant had to evacuate (1). A 10m wave struck Sendai, deluging
farmland (1) and sweeping cars across the airport’s runway (1). Fires
broke out in the centre of the city (1). A ship carrying 100 people was
swept away off the coast (1). A dam burst in north‑eastern Fukushima
prefecture, sweeping away homes (1). About four million homes in and
around Tokyo suffered power cuts (1). Thousands of people killed (1) or
made homeless due to buildings collapsing (1).
