Topic study hub
Section A: The challenge of natural hazards
Study all themes in the AQA GCSE Geography 8035 challenge of natural hazards section.
32
Objectives
10
Flashcards
10
Questions
90 min
Study time
AqaGcseGeographyLiving with the physical environment
Choose a revision tool
Start revising Section A: The challenge of natural hazards
Syllabus checklist
What you need to know
32 objective pages available
Natural hazards4 objectives
- Define a natural hazard.
- Identify types of natural hazard.
- Explain factors affecting hazard risk.
- Explain why natural hazards pose major risks to people and property.
Tectonic hazards8 objectives
- Describe plate tectonics theory.
- Describe the global distribution of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions and their relationship to plate margins.
- Explain physical processes at constructive, destructive and conservative plate margins that lead to earthquakes and volcanic activity.
- Distinguish primary and secondary effects of a tectonic hazard.
- Distinguish immediate and long-term responses to a tectonic hazard.
- Use named examples to show how tectonic hazard effects and responses vary between two areas with contrasting levels of wealth.
- Explain why people continue to live in areas at risk from tectonic hazards.
- Explain how monitoring, prediction, protection and planning can reduce tectonic hazard risks.
Weather hazards13 objectives
- Describe the general atmospheric circulation model using pressure belts and surface winds.
- Explain how global atmospheric circulation helps determine patterns of weather and climate.
- Describe the global distribution of tropical storms.
- Explain the relationship between tropical storms and general atmospheric circulation.
- Explain the causes, formation sequence, structure and features of tropical storms.
- Explain how climate change might affect the distribution, frequency and intensity of tropical storms.
- Distinguish primary and secondary effects of tropical storms.
- Distinguish immediate and long-term responses to tropical storms.
- Use a named tropical storm example to show effects and responses.
- Explain how monitoring, prediction, protection and planning can reduce the effects of tropical storms.
- Describe types of weather hazard experienced in the UK.
- Use a recent UK extreme weather example to explain causes, social impacts, economic impacts, environmental impacts and risk management.
- Use evidence to assess whether UK weather is becoming more extreme.
Climate change7 objectives
- Use evidence for climate change from the beginning of the Quaternary period to the present day.
- Explain natural causes of climate change, including orbital changes, volcanic activity and solar output.
- Explain human causes of climate change, including fossil fuel use, agriculture and deforestation.
- Describe effects of climate change on people and the environment.
- Distinguish mitigation from adaptation in managing climate change.
- Explain mitigation strategies including alternative energy production, carbon capture, tree planting and international agreements.
- Explain adaptation strategies including changing agricultural systems, managing water supply and reducing risk from rising sea levels.
Key terms
Natural HazardHazard RiskNatural hazardTypes of natural hazardshazard riskvulnerabilitynatural hazardriskPlate TectonicsTectonic Platesearthquakeplate margin
Exam tips
- Understand Natural Hazards: Use define natural hazards clearly and provide examples in your answers and link your answer to Natural hazards in Section A: The challenge of natural hazards, using accurate Geography evidence or terminology for natural hazard.
- Understand Different Types of Natural Hazards: Use create a chart categorizing various natural hazards such as earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, and droughts, including their characteristics and examples and link your answer to Natural hazards in Section A: The challenge of natural hazards, using accurate Geography evidence or terminology for natural hazard.
Common mistakes
- Misunderstanding Natural Hazards: Clarify that a natural hazard is a natural event that has the potential to cause harm to people, property, or the environment.
- Confusing Natural Hazards: Remember that a natural hazard is a potential threat (like an earthquake), while a natural disaster is the actual event that causes damage and impacts people.
Practice preview
Continue by objective
Objectives are grouped by subtopic so students can jump straight to the exact skill they want to revise.
Related topics