Paper 1: Topic 1 - Hazardous Earth & Topic 2 - Development Dynamics

Question 1

What does the equator do to heat the Earth?

Answer 1

At the equator the sun warms the Earth which can be seen on the map across the middle. Those countries and continents such as South American which are close to the equator is the reason why there is hot weather all year round (tropical rainforest). However because it’s so hot in these areas of the world there is a lot of rainfall which creates low pressure therefore; puddles of rain will evaporate into the surroundings and make clouds.

Question 2

What are Ocean currents?

Answer 2

Ocean currents are large scale movements of water that tranfer heat energy from warmer to cooler regions. They are caused by winds and help transfer heat away from the Equator.

Question 3

What do Hadley cells cause?

Answer 3

Rising air from the two Hadley cells meeting causes low pressure and lots of rainfall. Temperature are usually always hot and rainfall is high.

Question 4

What is the definition of climate change?

Answer 4

Our climate constantly changes, it always has, and it always will. Example of climate change; Ocean currents, storm surges, deforestation & oil drilling.

Question 5

Can volcanic activity effect the rate of which climate change increases?

Answer 5

Major volcanic eruptions eject large quantities of material, e.g. ash, into the atmosphere. Some of these particles reflect the Sun’s rays back out to space, so the Earth’s surface cools.

Question 6

What are examples of natural climate change?

Answer 6

1. Tree rings - Most trees produce one ring within their trunks every year. The thickness depends on the temperature. When it’s warmer the rings are thicker so therefore when it’s cooler the rings are thinner.
2. Ice cores
3. Historical records

Question 7

What are examples of natural greenhouse effects?

Answer 7

1. Temperature - The Earth has a balance between the heat it gets from the Sun and the heat it loses to space.
2. Energy - The incoming energy from the Sun is short-wave radiation whereas the outgoing energy from the Earth is long-wave radiation.

Question 8

What are examples of greenhouse gases that effect our planet?

Answer 8

1. Methane - When we turn on our ovens, methane is released as well as when cows fart!
2. Carbon dioxide - We breathe out carbon dioxide, however for plants it’s the opposite, to stay alive, they need carbon dioxide and breathe out oxygen.
3. Water vapour

Question 9

How do tropical cyclones develop?

Answer 9

Tropical cyclones develop when the sea temperature is 26.5 degrees or higher (warm water). These cyclones often develop in the areas of the Hadley cell which causes the water to swirl when the temperatures are high enough which causes low pressure and then evaporates into the air which make clouds causing huge storm surges in the middle of the Ocean. Ocean currents also effect the development of tropical cyclones.

Question 10

What are examples of physical hazards that are caused by tropical cyclones?

Answer 10

1. High winds
2. Intense rainfall
3. Storm surges
4. Coastal flooding
5. Landslides

Question 11

What are effects that Hurricane Katrina caused on the 29th August, 2005?

Answer 11

Hurricane Katrina hit the South east of the USA at a category 3 at landfall. 70-80% of people were evacuated before the hurricane arrived. Many flood defenses such as, embankments & sea walls were bought in order to protect the city which they failed to do so.

• 1,800 people were killed
• 300,000 houses were destroyed and thousands became homeless.

Question 12

What are the 4 layered structures of the Earth?

Answer 12

1. At the centre of the Earth is the core which is a solid and liquid iron and nickel.
2. Around the core is the mantle which is made up of silicon-based rocks.
3. The solid outer layer of the Earth is called the crust which is also made up of silicon-based rocks.
4. The final structure to the Earth’s surface is the crust which is divided into slabs called tectonic plates. It’s only 100km deep and can be reached to the bottom by new technology which has been developed for years.

Question 13

What are three types of plate boundaries?

Answer 13

1. Divergent - When two plates are moving away from eachother.
2. Convergent - When two plates are moving intowards eachother.
3. Conservative - When two plates are moving sideways past eachother.

Question 14

How do earthquakes occur?

Answer 14

The focus of an earthquake is the point in the Earth where the earthquake starts. This can be at the Earth’s surface, or anywhere up to 700km below the surface.

1. Shallow - Caused by tectonic plates movement near the surface.
2. Deep-focus - Caused by the crust and can have a focus up to 700km below the surface.

Question 15

What are the stage of development according to Rostow’s theory?

Answer 15

1. Traditional society
2. Preconditions for take-off
3. Take-off
4. Drive to maturity
5. Mass consumption