unit 4 - geographical research
Our school has chosen option 1 - Tectonic Activity and Hazards to focus in on for the Unit 4 Geographical Research element of the course.
- The exam is 1hr and 30 minutes.
- We get pre-released materials a few weeks before the exam - this allows us to prepare heavily for the exam.
- We answer one question in the paper relating to our topic and pre-released materials
- The exam is in the form of one long essay.
- The essay allows people to demonstrate the results and conclusions of their research.
- Each question is out of 70 marks.
- We're not allowed the pre-released material or research into the exam.
synoptic links
- Places - Where are the tectonically active regions of the world?
- People - Who is affected by tectonic activity and its associated hazards?
- Power - Who is responsible for managing the risk associated with tectonic hazards?
key questions
- What are tectonic hazards and what causes them? Tectonic hazards & disasters, what makes them hazardous. Tectonic hazards associated with earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis. Event profiles. Causes of hazards (pattern of plates, movements). Tectonic activity associated with types of plate margins (convergent, divergent and transform) - impact of this on distribution of tectonic hazards.
- What impact does tectonic activity have on landscapes and why does this impact vary? Varying impact of extrusive igneous activity (formation of volcanic cones, fissures, lava plateaux). Formation of types of volcano & characteristics. Varying impact of intrusive igneous activity. Effects of earthquakes on landscapes eg rift valleys.
- What impacts do tectonic hazards have on people and how do these impacts vary? Reasons why people live in tectonically active areas (related to level of eco. dev). Range of hazards. Specific impacts of a range of hazards at a range of scales. Trends in frequency & impact over time.
- How do people cope with tectonic hazards and what are the issues for the future? Varying approaches of individuals and governments to cope with hazards in countries with differing stages of development. Specific stages involved in adjustment. Effectiveness of different approaches and methods of coping and the way in which approaches have changed.