Identify the location of the earthquake event with the highest magnitude.

State the number of deaths caused by the earthquake event in the USA.

Outline one reason why high-magnitude earthquake events do not occur very often.

Explain how the risk to a community from earthquake events such as these might be affected by the age structure of its population.

Explain how the risk to a community from earthquake events such as these might be affected by political factors (governance of the country).

Indian Ocean

Accept answers between 130–160

Award [1] a valid reason and [1] for development.

For example, it takes a long time for sufficient tension to build between plates [1] in order to generate the higher amounts of energy to be released in a high-magnitude earthquake event [1].

Award [1] for a basic link between a valid population factor and some aspect of vulnerability/risk (such as preparedness, resilience, response) and up to [2] for further development/exemplification.

For example, a population with a higher proportion of elderly people has greater vulnerability [1] as earthquakes /tsunamis are sudden events with little warning time [1] with insufficient time for people with limited mobility to reach higher ground (tsunami) [1].

It is acceptable that different aspects of the age structure (elderly / youthful) can be discussed rather than focusing on just one segment of the population.

Other factors include:

• vulnerable to injury e.g. falling masonry
• vulnerability to secondary hazards e.g. spread if disease
• older population may have greater perception of the hazard and are better prepared e.g. survival kits
• very young / old are more likely to be at home.

Award [1] for a basic link between a valid political factor and some aspect of vulnerability/risk (such as preparedness, resilience, response) and up to [2] for further development/exemplification.

For example, governments have put in place effective communications to warn their people about earthquake risks [1] for example, United States Geological Survey (USGS) providing information to the Californian people about the San Andreas fault [1] thereby prompting citizens to take steps to increase their resilience [1].

Other factors include legislation for:

• land zoning
• education
• building controls
• availability and readiness of emergency personnel.

No problem.

Misunderstanding of the logarithmic scale led to many incorrect answers.

Mixed results with most gaining at least one mark, but lacking sufficient development for a second mark.

Generally well done. It was good to see an understanding of the relevance of population structure.

Again largely well done, with most using Haiti as a case study.