GCSE Geography Revision: Tectonic Hazards

Introduction

• Focus on tectonic hazards for Paper 1: Challenge of Natural Hazards.
• Session includes interactive activities like altered vowels, 60-second challenges, bubble quizzes, etc.

Key Terms

1. Focus
   • Point below Earth's surface where rocks give way in an earthquake.
2. Epicenter
   • Point directly above the focus where earthquake hits hardest.
3. Plate Boundary/Margin
   • Point where two or more plates meet, expecting more tectonic activity.
4. Richter Scale
   • Measure of magnitude of earthquakes; outdated but still referenced.
5. Seismometer
   • Machine that measures vibrations from earthquakes.

60 Second Challenge

• Match tectonic terms with definitions:
  • Tectonic Plate: Giant section of Earth's surface.
  • Convection Current: Heat from core causes mantle material to flow.
  • Subduction: One plate forced under another at destructive boundaries.
  • Magma: Molten rock underground; called lava above ground.
  • Earthquake: Ground shaking.

Types of Plate Margins

1. Destructive
   • Plates move towards each other, causing fold mountains or subduction.
2. Constructive
   • Plates move away, forming rift valleys.
3. Conservative
   • Plates slide past each other, causing earthquakes due to pressure buildup.

Bubble Quiz

• Natural Hazard: Natural event threatening property or people.
• Tectonic Hazards: Volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, tsunamis (not tropical storms).
• Earthquake Occurrence: At all plate margins.
• Volcanic Eruptions: Occur at hot spots, destructive, and constructive margins.

True or False Activity

• Destructive Margins: Plates move towards each other, causing earthquakes and volcanoes.
• Conservative Margins: Plates move side by side, no magma or volcanoes.

Red Herring Game

• Identify odd items out related to earthquake effects and volcanic reasons.

Case Study: Nepal Earthquake (2015)

• Risk Factors: Plate margin location, remote communities, poor construction.
• Devastation Reasons: Magnitude 7.8, shallow focus, proximity to Kathmandu.
• Primary Impacts: Death toll, historic sites destroyed, homelessness.
• Secondary Impacts: Avalanches, loss of tourism income.

Connection Spinner

• Reasons people live in tectonic areas:
  • Ports: Coastal settlements built around trade.
  • Farming: Fertile soil from volcanic weathering.
  • Building Designs: Earthquake-resistant structures.

Mitigation Strategies

• Monitoring: Use seismometers to predict earthquakes.
• Protection: Shock absorbers and building designs.
• Planning: Earthquake drills and preparedness.

Logarithmic Scale

• Richter Scale: Logarithmic, each whole number increase represents tenfold power increase.

Conclusion

• Emphasized the importance of understanding tectonic hazards and preparation strategies.
• Encouraged using revision resources for exam preparation.