Tectonic Hazards
Tectonic hazards are natural hazards, principally earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, caused by the movement of the Earth's tectonic plates at plate boundaries. This topic covers the three types of plate boundary, the primary and secondary effects of tectonic hazards, the difference between immediate and long-term responses, and how monitoring, prediction, protection and planning are used to reduce the risk to people.
Before you start
No specific prerequisites - this is a good place to start.
Method
- Learn the three types of plate boundary (constructive, destructive and conservative) and the movement and hazard typically associated with each.
- Sort the effects of a tectonic hazard into primary effects, caused directly by the ground shaking or eruption, and secondary effects, which are knock-on consequences that often happen later.
- Sort responses to a tectonic hazard into immediate responses, in the hours and days afterwards, and long-term responses, over the following months and years.
- Compare a named tectonic hazard in a wealthier (high-income) country with one in a poorer (low-income or lower-middle-income) country, using figures to support each comparison point.
- Learn how monitoring and prediction, building design, and education and evacuation planning each reduce the risk to people from tectonic hazards.
- Practise interpreting a labelled cross-section of a plate boundary and short data tables comparing two tectonic events.
Worked example
The magnitude scale used for earthquakes is logarithmic: each whole-number increase represents about 10 times more ground shaking. Compare an earthquake of magnitude 3 with an earthquake of magnitude 6. Calculate how many times more ground shaking the magnitude 6 earthquake produces.
- Find the difference in magnitude between the two earthquakes: 6 - 3 = 3.
- Recall that each whole-number step up the scale means about 10 times more ground shaking.
- Because there are 3 steps, multiply 10 by itself three times: 10 x 10 x 10.
- Calculate: 10 x 10 x 10 = 1000.
- State the final answer: the magnitude 6 earthquake produces about 1000 times more ground shaking than the magnitude 3 earthquake.
Practice questions
Try each question, then tap to reveal the answer.
Exam-style questions
Written in the style of a GCSE Geography exam paper, with a full mark scheme.
Explain the difference between how a national-scale earthquake early-warning system and building-scale earthquake-resistant design each reduce the risk to people from an earthquake.
A government with a limited hazard-reduction budget is deciding whether to fund (i) a national earthquake early-warning system, or (ii) grants to help homeowners retrofit poorly built homes in high-risk areas. Justify which of these two options you would prioritise in a low-income country with a large number of vulnerable, poorly built homes, giving ONE reason for your choice.
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