GCSE Geography: Tectonic Hazards Guide

Plate boundaries

At a destructive boundary, plates move towards each other and one is forced beneath the other, causing earthquakes and volcanoes. At a constructive boundary, plates move apart, allowing magma to rise. At a conservative boundary, plates slide past each other, causing earthquakes but not volcanoes.

Earthquakes

An earthquake's epicentre is the point on the Earth's surface directly above where it originated (the focus). Earthquake strength is measured on the Richter scale, and effects depend heavily on a country's wealth and preparedness.

Volcanoes

Composite volcanoes, found at destructive boundaries, are tall and steep-sided with violent eruptions. Shield volcanoes, often found at constructive boundaries or hotspots, are wide and gently sloping with less violent, runnier lava flows.

Managing tectonic hazards

Hazard management includes monitoring (tracking warning signs), prediction, protection (earthquake-resistant buildings) and planning (evacuation routes and public education).

Common mistakes

• Mixing up the focus (underground origin) and epicentre (surface point above it).
• Assuming all volcanoes and earthquakes happen at the same type of plate boundary.
• Describing management strategies without linking them to why they reduce risk.