Syllabus Edition

First teaching 2025

First exams 2027

Impacts of Earthquakes & Volcanoes (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE Geography): Exam Questions

Exam code: 0460 & 0976

1 hour16 questions
1a2 marks

Identify the magnitude on the Richter scale of the earthquakes labelled Y and Z in Figure 1.1.

Map of Alaska showing earthquake magnitudes, fault lines, and plate movement between North American and Pacific Plates with a scale and direction key.
1b2 marks

Name two other scales which can be used to measure earthquakes.

2a1 mark

Study Fig. 3.1, which shows information about the problems faced by households after an earthquake in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

Bar chart showing percentage of households experiencing problems: lack of shelter, food, clean water, healthcare, income, damaged roads, education, and sanitation.
Figure 3.1

Complete Fig. 3.1 by plotting the following information: 13% of households were affected by lack of clean water after the earthquake.

2b2 marks

Identify the two main problems caused by the earthquake in Haiti.

2c3 marks

Explain why it is necessary to provide clean water and sanitation after an earthquake.

33 marks

Study Fig 4.1, which shows a cross-section through a volcano.

Diagram of a volcanic island with labels for craters, lava flows, volcanic bombs, main vent, and ash and gases. Ocean surrounds the island.
Fig 4.1

Using Fig 4.1, identify three different hazards caused by a volcanic eruption which may causes injuries, deaths and damage.

43 marks

Study the information in Table 1.

9 July 2019

26 July 2019

1 death

8 deaths

3 injuries

63 injuries

119 buildings damaged or destroyed

19 buildings damaged or destroyed

Focus 24km deep

Focus 10km deep

5.6 magnitude

6 magnitude

Use Table 1 to compare the impacts of the earthquakes in the Philippines on 9 July and 26 July 2019.

53 marks

Study Fig. 3.2, which shows information about two earthquakes which occurred in 2018.

Venezuela 21 August 2018

The August 2018 Venezuela earthquake measured 7.3 on the Richter scale and was one of the largest earthquakes ever to strike Venezuela. It occurred at a depth of 154 kilometres and was felt as far away as Bogotá, Colombia and Paramaribo, Suriname. The earthquake killed five people.

Indonesia 28 September 2018

Following the earthquake in Indonesia measuring 7.5 on the Richter scale, at a depth of 20kilometres, a tsunami occurred. This had a height of around 5 to 7 metres, and flooded the settlements of Palu, Donggala and Mamuju. At least 2256 people were confirmed killed, with hundreds more missing.

Fig.3.2

Using information from Fig. 3.2 only, state three reasons why the earthquake in Indonesia caused more deaths and injuries than the earthquake in Venezuela.

14 marks

Suggest reasons why earthquakes in LICs such as the Philippines have a greater impact than earthquakes in the HICs such as the USA.

24 marks

Explain why earthquakes cause more deaths and injuries than volcanic eruptions.

34 marks

Explain what can be done to reduce the impacts of eruptions on people who live near volcanoes.

44 marks

Explain how new buildings can be earthquake-proofed, so that they are less likely to be damaged in an earthquake.

54 marks

Explain why earthquakes of the same magnitude may have different impacts.

64 marks

Explain why people continue to live in areas vulnerable to tectonic hazards despite the risks.

17 marks

Assess the extent to which technology can reduce the impacts of volcanic eruptions.

27 marks

For a named example you have studied, describe the problems caused by a volcanic eruption.

37 marks

For a named area you have studied, assess the strategies used to reduce the impacts of earthquakes.

47 marks

Explain the reasons why people continue to live in areas of tectonic activity.

57 marks

Assess the effectiveness of different methods used to measure and monitor earthquakes and volcanic activity.