Identify a scale used to measure the magnitude of one hazard type.

Describe the main features of the scale you identified in (a)(i).

Explain the occurrence of hurricanes (tropical cyclones, typhoons) in a named area.

“The economic impact of disasters is increasing while related deaths are decreasing.” Discuss this statement, with reference to examples of disasters.

Suitable magnitude scales would be the VEI or Richter.
Also accept intensity scales such as Mercalli or Saffir-Simpson scale.

• Statement of what is being measured (eg earthquake magnitude)
• May identify upper limit where one exists
• May identify critical boundaries (eg severe hurricane is 3+ on SS scale)
• Some idea of the differences between levels of the scale
• Provides example(s).

Three valid descriptive statements are needed for [3 marks].

Answers should name and locate a specific area [1 mark] and explain the reasons for the occurrence of the hurricane in that particular area [5 marks]. The approach depends on the area chosen (could be a single town or wider region eg Caribbean). The formation of hurricanes (and thus their initial occurrence) is linked with a range of factors including water temperature and depth of warm water. Alternatively, their occurrence in coastal/inland areas can be explained with reference to hurricane development and tracks. Credit answers that claim increasing intensity/magnitude due to global warming.

A disaster is a major hazard event that causes widespread disruption to a community or region so that the affected community is unable to deal with adequately without outside help.

Answers should examine reasons for the increasing economic cost of disasters and the differences between rich and poor countries. However, the relative financial cost may be greater in poor countries. There may also be indirect losses such as from a decline in tourism and individual losses may be greater where there is no insurance cover.

The general trend has been for fewer deaths in disasters (reasons should be given) – but there are notable exceptions such as the Indian Ocean and Japanese tsunamis. The fact that more people are living in vulnerable areas could also be considered. Answers that describe hazard events that are not disasters (ie do not require outside assistance) should not move above band D.

For band D, examples must be used and impacts described. For bands E and F, some discussion of the statement should be offered (eg may see it as a generalization and dependent on a country’s level of development, or recognizes some types of disaster eg mega-disasters/tsunamis can still bring many deaths).

Marks should be allocated according to the markbands.

Scale was correctly identified and features described but, as in question 7, there was an absence of three valid statements to gain the full 3 marks.

Scale was correctly identified and features described but, as in question 7, there was an absence of three valid statements to gain the full 3 marks.

This was poorly answered; many candidates found it difficult to explain the occurrence of hurricanes, although they could identify locations, with most referring to the south-east USA.

This question elicited a wide range of responses, from the excellent, considered and detailed, to the “all I know about two contrasting case studies” approach which hardly addressed the question. Weaker answers concentrated on why death rates or economic damage had been high in their examples and did not enter into any discussion or attempt to differentiate between levels of development in countries. A few good candidates referred to the costs of preparation for disasters as well as damage and responses.