Describe the changes shown from 12 August to 14 August in:

(i) storm intensity;

(ii) storm direction.

Explain two factors that affect the formation and development of hurricanes.

Using examples, examine the demographic and socio-economic factors that affect the vulnerability of a community to hazard events.

(i) Increases from category 1 to category 4 [1 mark] and provides dates or locations for this [1 mark].

(ii) Moves towards north-west then moves towards north-east/swings left then right/moves clockwise [1 mark] and provides dates or locations for this [1 mark].

Award [2 marks] for a description of each factor and [1 mark] for the explanation.

Answers could include:

• temperature of ocean [1 mark], (26􀀀°C–27􀀀°C) [1 mark], water depth (at least 60m) to allow evaporation for the energy of hurricanes [1 mark]
• distance from the equator/latitude [1 mark], between approximately 5°–30° of the equator [1 mark] as coriolis force [1 mark] is sufficient away from the equator to generate spin [1 mark]
• movement of hurricanes away from tropical oceans [1 mark] as they move over colder ocean areas and/or land masses [1 mark] they decline because of loss of energy [1 mark]
• other possible factors include wind shear, wind speeds, converging winds, development of an equatorial wave.

Responses should show an understanding of the term vulnerability and include a range of demographic factors (these may include population density, migration, gender, age) and socio-economic factors (these may include education level, wealth, awareness, experience, the level of development, technology, insurance). Many hazard events are socially selective eg, Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans (2005) had a disproportionate impact on poorer communities than on richer communities.

To access band D, demographic and/or socio-economic factors should be described and an example named.

To access band E either a good examination of vulnerability should also be provided or a wider range of demographic and socio-economic factors for recognizable location(s) examined.

At band F, expect both.

Marks should be allocated according to the markbands.

This question was generally well answered. Candidates were able to use map evidence to describe storm intensity and direction.

The formation and development of hurricanes was generally well understood, and most candidates gained about four marks, but often failed to elaborate sufficiently to gain the top marks. They were not able to identify two distinct factors or were unable to explain how the factors worked and were interlinked. Some candidates spent too much time on pressure and winds, and missed the obvious factors of sea temperature and distance from equator. The Coriolis effect was not clearly understood.

The term vulnerability was often not clearly understood or emphasized. Unfortunately, most responses focused on only socio-economic factors and failed to include demographic factors. There was a rather wide-ranging misinterpretation of the term demographic, which many took to mean geographic location. There were some good contrasting case studies.