(i) Using map evidence, determine which state was worst affected and outline why. 

(ii) Using map evidence, determine which state was least affected and outline why.

(iii) Suggest how land-use planning (zoning) could help reduce vulnerability to hurricanes in this area.

Suggest why the distinction between a hazard event and a disaster is not always completely clear.

Referring to two or more types of hazard, examine why the highest magnitude hazard events are not necessarily the most harmful.

(i)

New Jersey [1], and identifies two of the following: highest deaths, most people affected by power outages, three types of travel disruption [1].

(ii)

Delaware [1], and further justification [1], for example, no deaths, least transport disruption [1].
or
Washington [1], and further justification [1], for example, no deaths, fewest power cuts [1].

(iii)

Award [1] for each action. A single action can gain [2] if the idea is developed/exemplified.

Possible actions include:

• housing restrictions in low-lying/coastal areas mean fewer people/properties will be at risk [1]
• other land uses, eg golf courses, parks [1].

A hazard event is the realization of a threat to human life/property, resulting in harm/damage [1].

A disaster is a major hazard event that causes widespread disruption to a community or region, and the affected community is unable to deal with it adequately without outside help [1].

Award the remaining [2] for an attempt to address the distinction:

• What is meant by “outside” help is not clear – this has national / international dimension for instance.
• What is meant by “widespread disruption” may not be clear eg how many deaths/how much damage.

Credit other valid points that relate to the distinction.

The most likely framework will be to compare two or more events in very different contexts. Two named types must be discussed in some depth for the award of full marks.

Good answers are likely to conceptualize “harmful” in varying ways (injuries, deaths, property damage etc).

A good discussion should consider a range of arguments, such as:

• population vulnerability, density and distribution, and events in unpopulated areas
• socio-economic context (level of development and resilience/vulnerability/adaptation costs)
• timing of events (night-time or daytime)
• trajectory of hurricanes.

At band D answers are likely to describe some basic reasons for differences in the impacts of one or two hazards (eg knows that hurricane or tectonic events are likely to bring higher mortality in less developed countries).

At band E, expect either more detail / a range of reasons for the varying impacts that two or more hazards will have or some discussion of what constitutes harmful (contrasts mortality and property losses for instance).

At band F, expect both.

Marks should be allocated according to the markbands.

(i/ii) Most candidates correctly identified the state (Delaware and Washington were both acceptable) with supporting data.

(iii) Land-use planning (zoning) was frequently misunderstood.

Most candidates understood the difference between a hazard event and a disaster, but relatively few could suggest why the distinction is unclear.

This was generally well answered, showing a good understanding of hazard events and their contrasting impacts. Answers were focused with good reference to examples, such as Japan and Haiti. Weaker candidates gave descriptive answers.