Secondary Effects - GCSE Geography Definition

Secondary effects refer to the indirect impacts that occur as a result of a primary event, such as a natural disaster. In GCSE Geography, this means looking at the consequences that happen after the initial event, perhaps days or weeks later. For example, if an earthquake damages buildings, the secondary effects might include people being unable to work or go to school, shortages of food and clean water, or diseases spreading due to poor sanitation. These effects can sometimes be more damaging and last longer than the primary event itself, affecting communities and their ability to recover.