Describe the distribution and tracks of hurricanes (tropical cyclones, typhoons) affecting mainland Asia.

Briefly explain two geographical consequences of a recent human-induced (technological) hazard.

Using one or more recent examples, discuss the relative importance of short-term and long-term responses to hazard events and/or disasters.

Award [1] for each point, to a maximum of [2] in each case.

Distribution:

• Most of southern mainland Asia experiences hurricanes
• Eastern section has hurricanes which are formed a long way away
• East coast affected but not at higher latitudes
• In the western Pacific Ocean / Bay of Bengal / Arabian Sea.

Tracks:

• Longer tracks move westwards and curve away from the Equator
• Shorter tracks move north and are straighter.

[4 marks]

Award [1] for each consequence and up to [2] for further development/exemplification.

For example: The Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010 had a devastating environmental impact on marine life and food chains in the Gulf [1], including death of dolphins, bluefin tuna and bird life [1]. The loss of marine life severely impacted local fish catches [1].

Other consequences (depending on the hazard event) might include:

• destruction of buildings
• loss of farmland due to contamination
• loss of incomes
• social effects such as injuries, loss of life, and health issues.

[6 marks]

Short-term responses take place over a few hours, days and weeks, and might involve: search and rescue; provision of essential medical care; provision of emergency food and water supplies; combating the threat of disease; establishing communications to the outside world; alerting relief agencies.

Long-term responses go on for months and years after a disaster, and might include: provision of long-term shelter, rebuilding destroyed houses, schools, hospitals etc, re-establishing communications; re-establishing the local economy; undertaking protective measures and educating the local community in case of a future disaster; establishing monitoring stations to warn/help predict of a future hazard.

Good candidates may conclude that short-term responses may be more important, to reduce the immediate threats to loss of life and re-establishing the local economy, whereas long-term responses are important in a different way (long-term development) and more problematic, involving continued aid, re-structuring and investment into the area, which may not be forthcoming, especially in poorer countries. Good candidates may also discuss the importance of making adaptation integral to the long-term strategy in order to build resilience.

At band D, responses are likely to be descriptive accounts of some short-term and long-term responses.

At band E, expect either a more detailed explanation of the importance of short-term and long-term responses for a named disaster, or some explicit discussion of their relative importance (perhaps in relation to different goals or objectives).

At band F, expect both.

Marks should be allocated according to the markbands.

[10 marks]