GCSE Geography – The Restless Earth (Year 9) —
Complete Questions Only
Instructions: Answer all questions in the spaces provided. This document contains questions only (no answers).
Section A: Short answer / Quick recall (15 questions)
1. The Earth’s crust and upper mantle together are known as the:
2. Name the three main types of plate boundary.
3. Define 'subduction' in plate tectonics.
4. What is the difference between oceanic crust and continental crust?
5. The point on the Earth's surface directly above the focus of an earthquake is called the:
6. Define a 'tsunami' and explain its usual cause.
7. What is the Richter (magnitude) scale used to measure?
8. Which seismic waves arrive first at a seismic station — P-waves or S-waves?
9. Name one gas commonly emitted by volcanoes that is monitored by scientists.
10. What is a 'hotspot' in geology?
11. Give one economic reason why people live near volcanoes.
12. Give one social reason why people might be vulnerable to earthquake hazards.
13. What type of volcano is typically broad with gentle slopes and low-viscosity lava?
14. What is 'lahar' and when does it occur?
15. Name one instrument used to measure ground movement.
Section B: Short Answer Questions (20 questions)
16. Describe how convection currents in the mantle drive plate movement.
17. Explain why earthquakes occur at conservative plate boundaries.
18. Describe the processes occurring at a destructive (convergent) plate margin.
19. Describe three primary effects of a major volcanic eruption.
20. Describe three secondary effects that may follow an earthquake.
21. Explain how magma composition (viscosity and gas content) affects eruption style.
22. Explain the causes and consequences of liquefaction during earthquakes.
23. Describe two methods used to monitor volcanic activity and what each method detects.
24. Explain how tsunami early warning systems work and what they rely on.
25. Describe how fold mountains form at plate boundaries.
26. Explain how human factors (e.g., building design, population density) can alter the impact of an earthquake.
27. Describe the formation and hazards of pyroclastic flows.
28. Explain how hazard maps are produced and how they are used in planning.
29. Describe how volcanic soils can be both a benefit and a hazard to agriculture.
30. Explain how GPS is used to measure plate movement and give an example of data it provides.
31. Describe the short-term emergency responses that a government might implement after a large earthquake.
32. Explain long-term strategies for reducing vulnerability to tectonic hazards.
33. Describe the environmental impacts of ash fall on rivers and water supplies.
34. Explain why some areas of the world experience more frequent volcanic eruptions than others.
35. Describe the differences between the Mercalli intensity scale and the Richter (magnitude) scale.
Section C: Case Study / Data Response / Extended Questions (10
questions)
36. Using a named case study of an earthquake, outline the immediate impacts on people and infrastructure.
37. Using a named volcanic eruption, explain the long-term economic and environmental effects.
38. Compare and contrast the responses of a developed country and a developing country to a major earthquake.
39. To what extent can technology (e.g., building design, monitoring equipment) reduce the impacts of tectonic
hazards? Use examples.
40. Explain how the depth of an earthquake's focus affects the level of damage at the surface.
41. Devise a short public education plan to prepare communities living near a volcano for an eruption (include key
messages and delivery methods).
42. Evaluate the role of international aid in recovery after a large tectonic disaster (use examples).
43. Explain how physical geography (coastline shape, sea depth) influences tsunami impact on different
coastlines.
44. Using map evidence you might expect on a hazard map, explain how planners decide where to build critical
infrastructure.
45. Design a simple fieldwork investigation to measure the impact of an eruption on vegetation or soil (include
hypothesis, methods, and safety considerations).
