The Challenge of Natural Hazards: Key Ideas (AQA GCSE Geography): Revision Note

3.1.1.1

Natural hazards pose major risks to people and property

• Definition of a natural hazard.

• Types of natural hazards.

• Factors affecting hazard risk.

3.1.1.2

Earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are the result of physical processes

• Plate tectonics theory.

• Global distribution of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions and their relationship to plate margins.

• Physical processes taking place at different types of plate margin (constructive, destructive and conservative) that lead to earthquakes and volcanic activity

The effects of, and responses to, a tectonic hazard vary between areas of contrasting levels of wealth.

• Primary and secondary effects of a tectonic hazard.

• Immediate and long-term responses to a tectonic hazard.

• Use named examples to show how the effects and responses to a tectonic hazard vary between two areas of contrasting levels of wealth.

Management can reduce the effects of a tectonic hazard.

• Reasons why people continue to live in areas at risk from a tectonic hazard.

• How monitoring, prediction, protection and planning can reduce the risks from a tectonic hazard

3.1.1.3

Global atmospheric circulation helps to determine patterns of weather and climate

• General atmospheric circulation model: pressure belts and surface winds.

Tropical storms (hurricanes, cyclones, typhoons) develop as a result of particular physical conditions.

• Global distribution of tropical storms (hurricanes, cyclones, typhoons).

• An understanding of the relationship between tropical storms and general atmospheric circulation.

• Causes of tropical storms and the sequence of their formation and development.

• The structure and features of a tropical storm.

• How climate change might affect the distribution, frequency and intensity of tropical storms.

Tropical storms have significant effects on people and the environment.

• Primary and secondary effects of tropical storms.

• Immediate and long-term responses to tropical storms.

• Use a named example of a tropical storm to show its effects and responses.

• How monitoring, prediction, protection and planning can reduce the effects of tropical storms

The UK is affected by a number of weather hazards.

• An overview of types of weather hazard experienced in the UK.

Extreme weather events in the UK have impacts on human activity

• An example of a recent extreme weather event in the UK to illustrate:

  • causes

  • social, economic and environmental impacts

  • how management strategies can reduce risk.

• Evidence that weather is becoming more extreme in the UK.

3.1.1.4

Climate change is the result of natural and human factors, and has a range of effects.

• Evidence for climate change from the beginning of the Quaternary period to the present day.

• Possible causes of climate change: natural factors

  • orbital changes, volcanic activity and solar output

  • human factors – use of fossil fuels, agriculture and deforestation.

• Overview of the effects of climate change on people and the environment.

Managing climate change involves both mitigation (reducing causes) and adaptation (responding to change).

• Managing climate change:

  • mitigation – alternative energy production, carbon capture, planting trees, international agreements

  • adaptation – change in agricultural systems, managing water supply, reducing risk from rising sea levels.