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Date Marks available 6 Reference code .2.bp.5
Level SL and HL Paper 2 Time zone
Command term Explain Question number 5 Adapted from N/A

Question

The graph below shows the retreat (by altitude) and the surface area of the Santa Rosa glacier in Peru.


[Source: Peru National Communication to the UNFCCC2001]

Referring to the graph, describe the changes in the terminus of the Santa Rosa glacier from 1970–2000.

[4]
a.

Explain the processes involved in the advance and retreat of glaciers.

[6]
b.

Discuss the main environmental problems caused by tourism in one extreme environment.

[10]
c.

Markscheme

The glacier has been retreating over this time period [1 mark]. The rate of retreat has become increasingly rapid [1 mark] and there is an anomaly (1977 to 1979) which shows an expansion of the glacier [1 mark]. Award 1 mark for supporting quantification.

a.

Advance: When inputs such as snow and avalanches in the accumulation zone are greater than the rate of melting in the zone of ablation [3 marks].

Retreat: When inputs such as snow and avalanches in the zone of accumulation are less than the rate of melting [3 marks].

The balance of marks between advance and retreat may be varied slightly at examiner discretion in the event of responses which explain either advance or retreat in more detail. For example, some responses may consider seasonal effects or climatic change.

It is acceptable for annotated diagrams to be used instead of text.

b.

The problems associated with tourism may include impact on mass movement and erosion; land degradation; loss of biodiversity, increased vulnerability to hazards; aesthetic change; water usage, pollution and waste disposal.

The discussion may refer to seasonal increases in population, with increasing demand on services and expansion of settlements.

Depending on the environment chosen, only some of these problems may be relevant.

Responses which discuss a limited number of problems in depth may be awarded full marks, as may responses which discuss a wider range of problems in less depth.

Marks should be allocated according to the markbands.

c.

Examiners report

[N/A]
a.
[N/A]
b.
[N/A]
c.

Syllabus sections

Optional themes » Option C: Extreme environments » The physical characteristics of extreme environments » Glacial environment
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