Date | May 2018 | Marks available | 10 | Reference code | 18M.2.bp.8 |
Level | SL and HL | Paper | 2 | Time zone | |
Command term | Examine | Question number | 8 | Adapted from | N/A |
Question
Outline two factors that can influence the vulnerability of a community to the impacts of a tectonic hazard event.
Briefly explain the occurrence of either volcanoes or earthquakes at constructive plate margins.
Briefly explain the occurrence of either volcanoes or earthquakes at destructive plate margins.
Examine the effectiveness of short- and long-term responses to one recent disaster caused by a hurricane (tropical cyclone/typhoon).
Markscheme
Award [1] for each factor and [1] for further development relating to vulnerability of a community to a tectonic hazard event.
For example, a high degree of poverty [1] means that people cannot afford to build earthquake-resistant housing that does not collapse [1].
Other possible factors include:
- lack of insurance
- elderly population
- a level of corruption
- time of day
- preparedness
- geographical location.
Award up to [3] for any of the following points:
Volcanoes
- are formed when two plates diverge as magma wells up to fill the gap [1]
- example of constructive plate margin, such as mid-Atlantic Ridge [1]
- usually begins as submarine volcano, but may later become island [1].
Earthquakes
- are formed when two plates diverge as a result of friction and movement [1]
- the plate movement is explained, eg convection currents [1]
- example of plate margin, such as mid-Atlantic Ridge [1].
Credit other valid points and/or the use of suitable annotated diagrams.
Award up to [3] for any of the following points:
Volcanoes
- explanation of two plates converging [1]
- one plate sinks / is subducted [1]
- are formed due to melting, producing magma [1]
- differences in plate density causing subduction, causing magma to rise [1]
- additional detail, eg explosive eruptions around the margins of the Pacific plate [1].
Earthquakes
- explanation of two plates converging, eg convection currents [1]
- subduction of denser oceanic plate [1]
- are formed due to friction between the plates [1]
- further detail, eg deep-focus [1]
- additional locational detail, eg around the margins of the Pacific plate [1].
Credit other valid points and/or the use of suitable annotated diagrams.
Responses considered should be both short-term and long-term.
Short-term responses might include search and rescue, providing essential medical care, emergency food and water supplies, combating the threat of disease, establishing essential communications and alerting outside relief agencies.
Long-term responses continue for several months or years after the disaster, and might include rebuilding destroyed housing and infrastructure, re-establishing the local economy, undertaking protective measures and educating the local community in case of a future disaster, land-use zoning, establishing early-warning systems, planning evacuation routes.
Good responses will examine a range of different types of response to a recent named hurricane disaster, and consider their effectiveness in different timescales.
At band D, expect a descriptive account of different types of response to a hurricane disaster.
At band E, expect either a more detailed account of a range of short- and long-term responses, or some explicit examination of their relative effectiveness.
At band F, expect both.
Marks should be allocated according to the Paper 2 HL and SL markbands.