Question 1: Describe what a volcanic eruption is and explain two ways it can affect the environment and local communities.

Answer: A volcanic eruption is the sudden release of magma, ash, and gases from a volcano. It can affect the environment by destroying habitats and causing ash fall that contaminates water supplies. For local communities, it can lead to destruction of buildings, loss of life, and disruption of transportation and agriculture.

Question 2: List three natural causes of earthquakes and briefly explain how each causes seismic activity.

Answer: Tectonic plate movements (plates slipping along faults), volcanic activity (magma moving underground causing stress), and mantle convection (causing plates to drift and collide). These processes generate stress in the Earth's crust, releasing energy as seismic waves.

Question 3: Explain the difference between a flood caused by heavy rainfall and a tsunami. Include causes and typical locations where each occurs.

Answer: A flood caused by heavy rainfall occurs when prolonged or intense rain overwhelms drainage systems, often affecting river valleys and urban areas. A tsunami is a large ocean wave generated by undersea earthquakes or landslides, typically affecting coastal regions. The key difference is that floods are caused by atmospheric conditions, while tsunamis are caused by underwater seismic activity.

Question 4: Identify and explain two human activities that can increase the risk or severity of natural hazards.

Answer: Deforestation can increase the risk of landslides by removing stabilizing vegetation. Urbanization in flood-prone areas can exacerbate flooding due to increased surface runoff and reduced permeable ground.

Question 5: Draw a simple cross-section diagram showing the structure of the Earth's crust during an earthquake, indicating the focus and epicenter. Label these parts clearly.

Answer: A correct sketch would show two tectonic plates, with a fault line between them. The focus is the point underground where the earthquake originates, and the epicenter is directly above it on the surface. The diagram should include labels for both.

Question 6: Describe the primary effects of a hurricane on coastal regions and the secondary effects that can follow.

Answer: Primary effects include strong winds causing destruction of buildings, storm surges leading to flooding, and damage to infrastructure. Secondary effects may include loss of life, disease outbreaks due to contaminated water, economic losses, and displacement of communities.

Question 7: Identify three strategies governments might use to reduce the impact of a volcanic eruption.

Answer: Issuing evacuation orders, establishing exclusion zones around the volcano, and providing emergency supplies and shelter for residents.

Question 8: Sketch a diagram illustrating how a landslide occurs on a hillside after heavy rainfall. Include labels for the main elements involved.

Answer: A correct sketch would depict a sloped terrain with a layer of soil and rock. Heavy rain soaks the ground, reducing cohesion, leading to a mass movement or landslide. Labels should include 'slope', 'water infiltration', 'sliding mass', and 'trigger point'.

Question 9: Explain why some regions are more prone to specific hazards, using an example for each (e.g., plate boundaries for earthquakes, coasts for tsunamis).

Answer: Regions near tectonic plate boundaries, like Japan, are more prone to earthquakes because of frequent plate movements. Coastal areas, such as parts of Southeast Asia, are more susceptible to tsunamis due to undersea earthquakes or landslides that generate large waves.