Question 1: Define 'epicentre' and explain its significance in earthquakes.

Answer: The point on Earth's surface directly above the focus of an earthquake; it indicates the location of maximum shaking.

Question 2: What is a 'destructive plate boundary'? Provide an example.

Answer: A boundary where two tectonic plates move towards each other, often causing earthquakes; e.g., the boundary between the Pacific and North American plates.

Question 3: Describe the term 'seismic waves' and their role in earthquakes.

Answer: Vibrations that travel through Earth's layers during an earthquake, causing shaking and damage.

Question 4: Explain what is meant by 'plate tectonics'.

Answer: The scientific theory that Earth's outer shell is divided into several plates that move and interact, causing geological activity.

Question 5: Give an example of a convergent plate boundary known for frequent earthquakes.

Answer: The boundary between the Indian Plate and the Eurasian Plate, where the Himalayas are located.

Question 1: Which tectonic plate boundary is most associated with frequent and powerful earthquakes?

Answer: Destructive (convergent) boundary

Question 2: Name the country that experienced a devastating earthquake in 2010, causing over 230,000 deaths.

Answer: Haiti

Question 3: What type of seismic wave causes the most destruction during an earthquake?

Answer: Surface waves

Question 4: Identify the plate boundary responsible for the 2011 Tohoku earthquake in Japan.

Answer: Destructive (convergent) boundary between the Pacific Plate and the North American Plate

Question 5: What is the main cause of earthquakes at destructive plate boundaries?

Answer: The collision and subduction of tectonic plates generate stress and pressure, leading to sudden slippage along faults.

Question 1: Read the following case study: The 2010 Haiti earthquake had a magnitude of 7.0 and struck near the capital Port-au-Prince. The earthquake caused widespread destruction, over 230,000 deaths, and left 1.5 million people homeless. The quake occurred along a strike-slip fault associated with the Enriquillo-Plantain Garden fault zone. Based on this information, identify two immediate social impacts and two long-term economic impacts of the earthquake.

Answer: Immediate impacts: high death toll, displacement of people. Long-term impacts: economic disruption, reconstruction costs.

Question 2: Using the Haiti earthquake case, explain how the location of the epicentre affected the level of destruction.

Answer: The epicentre's proximity to Port-au-Prince increased the intensity of shaking and damage due to the focus being close to densely populated areas.

Question 3: Discuss the effectiveness of international aid and disaster response in Haiti following the 2010 earthquake.

Answer: International aid provided immediate relief, but long-term recovery was hampered by logistical challenges, political issues, and limited local infrastructure.

Question 4: Evaluate how geographical factors influenced the severity of the 2011 Tohoku earthquake in Japan.

Answer: Japan's location on a destructive plate boundary, the subduction zone of the Pacific Plate beneath the North American Plate, caused a powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 9.0, leading to a tsunami and nuclear disaster.

Question 1: Explain why subduction zones are associated with the most powerful earthquakes.

Answer: Subduction zones involve one plate being forced beneath another, accumulating immense stress until it is released suddenly, causing powerful earthquakes. This process also generates large seismic waves and tsunamis, especially in coastal regions.

Question 2: Analyse why areas near destructive plate boundaries are at higher risk of frequent earthquakes.

Answer: These areas experience continuous stress build-up due to plate movements; when faults slip, energy is released as earthquakes. The high frequency of stress accumulation and release increases the risk of recurrent seismic activity.

Question 3: Explain the role of fault lines in earthquake occurrence.

Answer: Fault lines are fractures in Earth's crust where rocks can slide past each other. Stress accumulation along faults eventually causes slip, resulting in earthquakes.

Question 1: To what extent have modern engineering solutions reduced the impact of earthquakes in countries like Japan?

Answer: Modern engineering, such as earthquake-resistant buildings, early warning systems, and tsunami defenses, have significantly reduced casualties and damage in Japan. However, the scale of some earthquakes still overwhelms infrastructure and response capabilities, indicating that while technology improves resilience, it cannot eliminate all risks.

Question 2: Evaluate the effectiveness of international disaster response strategies in mitigating the effects of earthquakes in developing countries.

Answer: International strategies, including aid, training, and resource provision, are vital for immediate relief and recovery. Their effectiveness varies based on coordination, local infrastructure, and political stability. While they can save lives and support rebuilding, reliance on external aid may hinder long-term resilience without sustainable local development.