Tectonic hazards

This Question and Answer examines an A2 question on tectonics for AQA Unit 3. The question is focused on the impacts of earthquakes, measuring earthquakes and contrasting seismic events. It also tests the skill of photograph analysis. This Question and Answer is therefore useful to students of all specifications. Edexcel A2 Unit 4, the Tectonic Hazards option, also focuses on hazards such as earthquakes, volcanoes and tsunamis, and OCR and WJEC cover this topic.

The parts of the question are printed in bold type and the students’ answers are in tint areas. The examiner’s comments are the responsibility of GEOGRAPHY REVIEW and have been neither provided nor approved by the examination board. Cameron Dunn writes here in a personal capacity.

Figure 1

The questions discussed here are questions 1–3 from AQA GEOG3 Contemporary Geographical Issues, Section A, Option 1 Plate Tectonics and Associated Hazards, June 2010.

Study Figure 1, a photograph of an area in northern Pakistan after a recent earthquake. Using Figure 1 only, comment on the evidence that suggests that an earthquake has recently taken place. (7 marks)