Volcanoes/Earthquakes

Question 1

At which type of plate boundary do plates move away from each other?

Answer 1

Divergent.

Question 2

Explain why volcanoes form at places where plates move away from each other. (Constructive/Divergent)

Answer 2

A gap is formed in the ground where magma rises and goes through the centre hole of the volcano.

Question 3

Name 5 ways to reduce the impacts of volcanoes.

Answer 3

• Monitoring system (alarm ringing)
• Preparing an emergency plan in case of volcano
• Paths excavated leading the lava to another direction from the town.
• Children should learn in school what to do in that case.
• Build buildings that are volcano-proof e.g with thick concrete walls.

Question 4

Why do people live near Mount Merapi?

Answer 4

Firstly, for tourism: many people travel to the island to see the volcano of Mount Merapi and there’s also a beach that attracts more tourism and where people can gain economic benefit e.g building a hotel. Secondly, for agriculture: near the volcano the land is very fertile and there is high field crop. Thirdly, near Mount Merapi you can adquiere Geothermal energy which is cheaper than normal electricity. Lastly, many people were born there (birthplace) and they don’t have money to emigrate or are used to living there.

Question 5

Describe the distribution of the volcanoes around the Pacific ring of fire.

Answer 5

• Linear
• Coastal
• Some in the middle
• Eastern side of Asia.

Question 6

Describe the impacts of Mount Merapi’s eruption.

Answer 6

Social: 350,000 people living in the area had to flee their homes.
353 people were killed and 577 people were injured.
Economic: Borobudur was closed for tourists due to eruption. Vegetables prices increased due to damage of crops and shortage of food
Environmental: Ash will eventually lead to more fertile soils in the area. Volcanic ash fell up to 30 km away and travelled 6 km into the sky.

Question 7

Describe what occurs at a destructive plate boundary.

Answer 7

A destructive plate boundary happens where an oceanic and continental plate move towards each other. The heavier, more dense oceanic plate is forced under the continental plate. As it sinks below the continental plate the oceanic plate melts due to friction in the subduction zone. The crust becomes molten called magma.

Question 8

Describe the impacts of an earthquake you have studied. (7 marks)

Answer 8

HAITI:
It was caused on a constructive plate boundary, which means that the two plates slides past each other and the high friction caused an earthquake.
SOCIAL: 230,000 people killed and 300,000 injured. Damaged 294,383 homes and destroyed 105,000. Food became scarce, cholera started so oread again.
Economic: GDP decreased by 5.1%. 105,000 homes were destroyed causing $2.3 billion in damage. Ports in the nation’s capital were ruined.
Environmental: Deforestation, destroyed many fertile land; agriculture loss.