With reference to either earthquakes or volcanic eruptions, describe two ways in which people’s quality of life deteriorates at point A on the diagram.

With reference to either an earthquake or a volcanic eruption, distinguish between the types of response to the hazard event that occur at point B and point C on the diagram.

“Improved building design is the most effective way for people to reduce their vulnerability to hazards.” Discuss this statement.

Award [1 mark] for each impact on people (eg their home lost) and [1 mark] for how this affects quality of life (eg have to sleep in the open), or some detail of how the hazard led to this (ground shaking, liquefaction, volcanic ash).

Accept other valid statements.

B represents short-term response such as:

• emergency search and rescue of collapsed buildings
• the provision of emergency aid/food/shelter
• the arrival of specialist personnel (external agencies)
• evacuation in case of aftershocks/further eruptions
• other valid short-term suggestions.

C represents longer term organized response, such as:

• reconstruction (possibly with improved design or land zoning)
• wreckage clearance
• salvage operations
• care and rehabilitation (physical/mental)
• other valid long-term suggestions.

Award [1 mark] for each appropriate response that is outlined and [1 mark] for any further development of that point (may use examples, or qualify statements in other ways).

Award up to [4 marks] for either B or C; balance is not expected. Maximum [3 marks] if ideas do not relate to earthquake or volcano.

Improvements in building design could include modifications such as steel reinforcement, base isolators, movable hydraulic joints, strategies to reduce building shaking, shatter proof glass, deep foundations. Low cost designs include wooden buildings that shake in an earthquake, low density buildings, buildings on stilts, reinforced roofs etc. Similar improvements in building design/modification could be discussed with reference to volcanoes, hurricanes and other hazards.

A detailed description of building design is not required, although there should be a sound understanding of its importance.

Discussion should include other ways to reduce vulnerability including land-use zoning, early-warning systems, hard engineering structures such as sea walls, soft engineering structures such as mangrove swamps and belts of trees, response and awareness training, evacuation planning, emergency shelters, investment in emergency services, improved monitoring and prediction of natural hazards, insurance schemes.

At band D, responses are likely to be descriptive and might only cover building design or other simple ways of reducing vulnerability.

At band E, responses should either consider more ways in greater depth or offer some more explicit evaluation eg, a combination of ways is needed.

At band F, expect both.

Marks should be allocated according to the markbands.

Many candidates could describe an impact of an earthquake or volcanic eruption, such as destruction of homes, but did not then go on to describe how this affects the quality of life.

This was a straightforward question. However, many candidates did not clearly distinguish between points B and C, or interpret the diagram correctly to show the differences between short- and long-term responses. Where points B and C were distinguished there were some very clearly developed answers.

Stronger candidates had few problems with this question and were able to discuss the statement explicitly with good knowledge of building design and modifications and other ways of reducing vulnerability. Weaker responses mentioned building design, but with no detail or development, and focused on general ways to reduce vulnerability. A few did not include anything on building design at all.