Tectonics unit quiz

1. Tectonics unit quiz For each of the following questions decide which is the best or most appropriate answer a, b or c

2. 1/ P1F 2005 Describe the distribution of earthquakes • a/ Most earthquakes are found close to the equator • b/ Most earthquakes occur in poor countries • c/ Most earthquakes are found close to plate boundaries

3. 2/ Sp P3H Describe and explain compressional plates • a/ This is when two plates are moving away from each other due to convection currents in the mantle. They are also called constructive plates • b/ This is when two plates are moving towards each other due to convection currents in the mantle. They are also called destructive or collision plates • c/ This is when two plates are sliding past each other due to convection currents in the mantle. They are also called neutral plates

4. 3/ P2F 1999 Name a range of fold mountains. Describe 2 human activities which are typical of your chosen area • a/ Uluru, Australia. Farming and tourism • b/ The Alps, Europe. Farming and tourism • c/ Dartmoor, UK. Farming and tourism

5. 4/ P3H 2000 & P1H 2004 With the aid of diagrams, explain the formation of fold mountains. • a/ When two plates at a tensional plate boundary move apart, magma may rise through the crust to produce fold mountains • b/ When two plates at a compressional plate boundary collide, it may force crustal rocks or layers of sedimentary rocks formed in a geosyncline to push up and fold • c/ When two plates slide past each other at a neutral plate boundary, pressure may be released causing earthquakes.

6. 5/ P1H 2004 Describe the physical features of young fold mountains you have studied. • a/ These areas are often sparsely populated because of physical and climatic conditions. Pastoral farming usually occurs on the valley sides and arable farming on the valley floors. Forestry and tourism may occur in some areas • b/ Mountains tend to be relatively small and the landscape smooth due and to erosion and weathering • c/ There are often parallel formations of sharp, high peaks with their valleys. Many ranges are still rising. Rocks are usually folded and bent causing cracking. They are often formed by layers of sedimentary rocks. Glaciers have often cut out U shaped valleys

7. 6/ P3H 1999 Explain the causes of tectonic activity on Montserrat • a/ The Caribbean and North American plates are moving towards each other due to convection currents in the mantle. They meet at a plate boundary where the North American plate is subducted beneath the Caribbean plate . The subducted plate melts and causes magma to rise to the surface to erupt as a volcano. The movement of the 2 plates and the rising magma towards the surface may cause earthquakes • b/ The Caribbean and North American plates are moving away from each other due to convection currents in the mantle. The plates separate at a plate boundary. The cracks at the plate boundary allows magma to rise to the surface to erupt as a volcano. The movement of the 2 plates and the rising magma towards the surface may cause earthquakes • c/ The Caribbean and North American plates plates are moving towards each other due to convection currents in the mantle . They meet at a plate boundary where one plate goes over the other and crumples up forming a fold mountain range

8. 7/ P2F 2002 What are dormant volcanoes • a/ Volcanoes that have not erupted for a long time, but could still erupt. They are sometimes described as sleeping • b/ Volcanoes that can erupt at any time. It is estimated that there are 1500 of these on Earth • c/ Volcanoes that will not erupt again. Snowdon is a former active volcano

9. 8/ P2F 2002 explain how a volcano forms • a/ When two tectonic plates slide past each other, a shockwave of energy may be released • b/ When two tectonic plates collide, crust is crumpled and folded up to form a volcano • c/ When plates separate or meet at a plate boundary, cracks in the crust allow magma to rise to the surface, where successive eruptions build a volcano

10. 9/ 1998 P3h With reference to fig. 5 and examples from your own studies, explain why some volcanic eruptions cause more deaths than others • a/ Some people choose to live in dangerous areas because they were born there. Their family is from there and though they might have a difficult life, it is sustainable. Their job and livelihood is there • b/ Some volcanic eruptions occur without warning, close to populated areas. The eruption maybe explosive as a result of a release of pressure that has built up over a long period. Maybe the area affected is poor so it has poor emergency services and infrastructure to cope with the destruction • c/ Some volcanic eruptions occur with some warning, in sparsely populated areas. Maybe they are relatively harmless and the pressure that is released is done gradually over a long period. Maybe the area affected is rich, having good emergency services and infrastructure

11. 10 / P1F What type of plate boundary produces a composite volcano ? • a/ a tensional plate boundary • b/ a neutral plate boundary • c/ a compressional plate boundary

12. 11/ P1F 2007 Describe the characteristics of a shield volcano • a/ wide base, gentle slopes and less tall. Frequent eruptions of basic lava and is usually non-violent eg. Mouna Loa (Hawaii) • b/ narrow base, tall and made up of alternative layers of acid lava and ash. It has a steep sided symmetrical cone shape and can erupt violently eg. Mount St. Helens • c/ wide base, tall and made up of different layers of acid lava and ash. Usually non-violent

13. 12/ P1H 2007 Mauna Loa is a shield volcano. Explain the characteristics of shield volcanoes and how they are formed • a/ They tend to be narrow and tall. Made up of different layers of acid lava and ash as a result of successive eruptions. They usually form at compressional plate boundaries. Rising magma formed by material from the subducted plate, mixes with rocks from the other plate causing chemical changes in the magma. This often leads to explosive volcanic eruptions • b/ They tend to be wide, having gentle slopes and short. They are made from frequent, usually non-violent eruptions of basic lava. They are usually formed at tensional plate boundaries, where plates are moving apart as a result of convection currents in the mantle. They can also occur where hotspots arise in the Earth’s crust • c/ They tend to be wide and tall. Made up of different layers of lava and ash as a result of successive eruptions. They usually form at neutral plate boundaries. Rising magma mixes with other rocks causing chemical changes in the magma. This often leads to explosive volcanic eruptions

14. 13/ Sp 3h With reference to an example you have studied, explain how volcanic action has influenced both the physical and human geography of an area • a/ Mt. St. Helens, USA. Landslide covered large area around volcano. Forests, rivers and wildlife destroyed • b/ Etna, Sicily. People evacuated their homes, but when the volcano settled down, the ‘volcano tourists’ returned • c/ Soufriere Hills, Montserrat. Forests and farmland destroyed. New land built out from the coast. People forced to migrate off the island or to the north. Housing and towns destroyed. New housing has had to be built to accommodate people fleeing, much was makeshift and basic. Tourist activity declined. The area has become more dependent on aid from Britain.

15. 14/ Following the volcanic eruption on Montserrat, what are the arguments for and against people staying on Montserrat • a/ People are concerned for their lives and may feel they have lost their homes and livelihoods. People may have lived their all their lives and enjoy living there and want to help rebuild their island • b/ People believe the UK government will offer lots of help to rebuild their lives and that new tourists in search of volcanic adventure are likely to visit the island • c/ The soil will become more fertile and support better farming. New land has been added by the volcanic eruptions and has development potential on the coast

16. 15/ P2F & 3H 2001 using an example, describe the effects of a volcanic eruption • a/ Seismic activity is monitored. Authorities discourage development in hazardous areas. Emergency services are trained. Eg. Kobe, Japan • b/ When two plates move apart or towards each other, cracks in the Earth’s crust allows magma to rise up and erupt as a volcano eg. Iceland • c/ People may be injured and killed. People may be forced to flee or migrate. People’s houses and farmland may be destroyed. Sunlight blocked out; turning day to night. Aid and rescue operations organised. Soil becomes more fertile. Business activity may temporary decline as lives are disrupted eg. Soufriere Hills, Montserrat

17. 16/ P1F &P1H 2004 Explain how the eruption of Mt. St. Helens may have affected the local people • a/ 57 people lost their lives. Some people may have left the area because of concern over future eruptions or livelihoods. As the area recovers there is an increase in tourism. A review of planning and development in the area will take place • b/ People moved to the north of the island. Some people have left all together. Plymouth was covered in large amounts of ash and evacuated. Government and other services have had to be moved elsewhere • c/ While local people were forced to evacuate, some stayed foot. The media and vulcanologists moved in to study the volcano and prepare for the eruption

18. 17/ P1F 2005 For a volcanic eruption you have studied describe the ways in which people have responded to the disaster • a/ Some people think - well you could go out tomorrow and get run over by a bus. They may argue that life is full of risks and therefore decide to stay in the area eg. Soufriere Hills, Montserrat • b/ People help the injured and bury the dead to prevent disease spreading if large numbers have been killed. People may leave the area or are evacuated out of it. They may rebuild their lives and infrastructure Emergency services and preparations for future disasters may be improved. eg. Soufriere Hills, Montserrat • c/ Some people blame the authorities for not doing enough to help or to predict the event. They demand compensation from authorities or help to rebuild their lives. Overseas charities organise aid campaigns to support people eg. Soufriere Hills, Montserrat

19. 18/ P1H 2005 For an earthquake or volcanic eruption you have studied, describe the short term and long term responses to the disaster • a/ People help the injured and their families. They may move out of any immediate danger to open ground or further from the source of danger. Authorities organise rescue teams, food, water and shelter. Buildings are repaired and aid is sent in. A review of the responses takes place eg. Kobe, Japan • b/ People see their opportunity to go on looting spree as authority and law and order breaks down. Some are seen running off with the latest widescreen TVs. The army is often sent in and a curfew enforced eg. Kobe, Japan • c/ The usual response to such a disaster is for people to respond by sitting down and having a cup of tea and then planning a relaxing holiday to recover. People might have to read books for entertainment if the TV is off eg. Kobe, Japan

20. 19/ P3H Explain the advantages and disadvantages of living close to an active volcano • a/ People can build their own geothermal power stations and reduce their dependency on imported oil. Volcanic activity is very unpredictable. Eruptions can occur during live football games • b/ The soil is often fertile and good for growing crops. Minerals produced by volcanic activity can be exploited eg. Sulphur or borax. Some tourist related employment may be created. It can be very dangerous, risking life, injury, home and livelihood. Dangerous gases can be released • c/ Some think these volcanoes cause fewer problems than dormant volcanoes because they are more predictable. They can block out the sun during an eruption and frustrate those seeking to get a natural tan

21. 20/ P2F 2000 & 2001 what is an earthquake • a/ Often they cause tsunamis and avalanches • b/ They occur directly above the focus. The point on the Earth’ surface that is most effected is called the epicentre • c/ A movement within the Earth’s crust releases a shockwave of energy, causing the surface to shake

22. 21/ P2F & P3H 1998 Why do earthquakes sometimes happen in the same location as volcanoes • a/ These areas are very unlucky. Every few weeks or months you here about such events and charities raising money to help. Strangely, many people live in dangerous places • b/ Japan is a good example of this. They have lots of earthquakes and volcanic activity. One just has to think of Kobe or Mt Fuji. They also have a lot of typhoons and tsunamis to contend • c/ They occur close to plate boundaries where plate movement causes earthquakes and causes cracks in the crust allowing magma to rise to the surface to erupt as a volcano. Furthermore, some volcanic activity causes earthquakes

23. 22/ P2F & 3H 2000 Describe how an earthquake may affect an urban area • a/ Villages may be destroyed, people may be injured of killed and wildlife disturbed • b/ Loss of life, people injured, building and infrastructure collapse, fires occur due to gas explosions, disruption to daily lifestyles, people made homeless • c/ Tectonic plates slide past, move towards or away from each other as a result of a release of pressure in the crust. Tectonic plates lie on top of a conveyer belt. Pressure builds up between the plates and eventually they are forced to move, all be it slowly, because of this conveyer belt driven by convection currents in the mantle

24. 23/ P2F 2001 Suggest three reasons why some earthquakes do not cause any loss of life • a/ Few or no people live close to the epicentre. The Richter scale strength of the earthquake is low. The earthquake occurs deep under ground and much of its energy is already dispersed before reaching the surface • b/ An official may travel around with a megaphone telling people to leave the area as an earthquake is expected. All buildings have an earthquake proof design • c/ It is possible to predict eruptions by recording seismic activity. Emergency plans have been put in place with well trained emergency services. Previous eruptions have occurred in the area encouraging people to leave

25. 24/ P3H 2001 & P1F 2003 & P1H Using examples, explain why some earthquakes cause more loss of life than others • a/ Some earthquakes are less powerful and hit sparsely populated areas. Some are predictable and may occur during the day when people are at work. The earthquake may occur in an area where buildings are capable of withstanding earthquakes. In richer countries they may have less difficulty rescuing the injured • b/ Some earthquakes are very powerful and hit densely populated areas. They may occur suddenly, maybe at night when people are in their beds. The earthquake may occur in an area where buildings are incapable of withstanding earthquakes. In poorer countries they may have more difficulty rescuing the injured • c/ The India Ocean earthquake that occurred on Boxing Day 2004, caused the loss of life of thousands of people. The tsunami that it caused effected lowlying areas of Indonesia, Thailand, India, Sri Lanka etc and literally swept people away. The earthquake measured 9.0 on the Richter scale

26. 25/ P1F 2005 For an earthquake you have studied describe the ways in which people have responded to the disaster • a/ Some people think, ‘well you could go out tomorrow and get run over by a bus’. Life is full of risks. We are going to stay and rebuild our lives eg. Kobe, Japan • b/ People help the injured and dying and put out fires caused by explosions. Many people move to open spaces to avoid harm from aftershocks. Some people may leave the area. Most stay and rebuild their lives and infrastructure. Emergency services and preparations for future disasters may be improved eg. Kobe, Japan • c/ Some people respond by buying solid wood dinning tables so that they are better protected from building collapse. Some people become more religious believing such events represent God’s anger with people eg. Kobe, Japan

27. 26/ P1H 2005 For an earthquake or volcanic eruption you have studied, describe the short term and long term responses to the disaster • a/ Some people travel to the area to help or seek excitement as disaster tourists. In the long term they go back home or seek out other disasters eg. Kobe, Japan • b/ People immediately seek to protect themselves and their family. They might try to get to an open space or seek protection under a table. The injured and dying are helped. Fires are put out and rescue teams, food, water and shelter are organised. With many deaths, the dead are buried as quickly as possible reducing the spread of disease. Water and electricity return and strategies are put in place to provide a better warning or better planning for the effects eg. Kobe, Japan • c/ People should turn off the gas if they are cooking and go and fill their baths because there is likely to be a water shortage. Quickly get to the supermarket before the looters get all the bottled water, bread and chocolate biscuits. Stay in and listen to your battery powered radio for updates and if things get worse listen to the Archers and remember things could be worse eg. Kobe, Japan

28. 27/ P1f 2007 Describe the immediate effects of a volcanic eruption or earthquake that you have studied • a/ The army may be sent in. Aid from around the world and the rest of the country is organised. New building regulations will be announced in an attempt to improve building design and to avoid extensive building on the most unstable land . Emergency planning will be improved • b/ The earth starts to move. Buildings may collapse. Fires may occur following gas explosions. People are injured or killed. People will seek to help the injured and to find out if friends and relations are safe. As a result the telephone network is likely to collapse. • c/ People will use strong language to ask the question ‘what was that’. They are then likely to move to an area they think is safer than there current situation, all the time using strong language and videoing what they see and experience on the way. They will later post the video on Youtube

29. 28/ Sp. P2 Give 2 ways in which countries try to reduce the earthquake hazard • a/ Improve emergency procedures. The public are educated and public service personnel are trained. Stronger and more earthquake proof buildings can be built. Use planning regulations to limit building in unstable and vulnerable areas. Develop tsunami early warning systems • b/ Evict people from areas likely to experience earthquakes. Set up a 5th emergency service to deal with earthquakes • c/ Monitor animal behaviour, because animals often sense the danger before humans. Employ fishermen to help with tsunami early warnings

30. 29/ Sp P2F Explain why an earthquake may cause more problems in an urban area than a rural area • a/ Few people live in these areas so smaller numbers of people will be injured and killed. Also there will be less building collapse and less infrastructure to damage. Furthermore, there is less likelihood of fires as a result of fewer gas explosions • b/ If Tokyo takes a direct hit from a powerful earthquake many are concerned about the potential loss of life, but also the economic effect it will have on the global economy • c/ More people live in these areas so there is likely to be more building collapse and deaths and injuries. More infrastructure is likely to be damaged and more fires as a result of gas explosions.

31. 30/ Sp P2F Explain why an earthquake may cause more problems in a LEDC than a MEDC • a/ Poorer countries have fewer resources to cope with the injured and the damage. They may lack the resources, technology and heavy machinery required for a speedy recovery. Poorer infrastructure and less well resourced emergency services may hamper the aid operation • b/ Poorer countries have more resources to cope with the injured and the damage. They are likely to have the resources, technology and heavy machinery required for a speedy recovery. Better infrastructure and well resourced emergency services will help with the aid operation • c/ Most of the countries affected by the Tsunami of Boxing Day 2004 were poor countries. Private citizens and governments around the world provided aid to help these countries recover. Plans for an early warning system for tsunamis have been agreed by the countries bordering the Indian Ocean