Earthquakes & Volcanoes
Theme 2: The natural environment
Please see the guidance on case studies for the options when planning case studies and note whether the word Including is used in the further guidance column.
| 2.1 Earthquakes and volcanoes | |
| Candidates should be able to:Describe the main types and features of volcanoes and earthquakes Describe and explain the distribution of earthquakes and volcanoes Describe the causes of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions and their effects on people and the environment Demonstrate an understanding that volcanoes present hazards and offer opportunities for people Explain what can be done to reduce the impacts of earthquakes and volcanoes | Further GuidanceTypes of volcanoes (including strato-volcanoes [composite cone) and shield volcano) Features of volcanoes (including crater, vent, magma chamber) Features of earthquakes (including epicenter, focus, magnitude) The global pattern of plates and their structure; an awareness of plate movements, subduction zones and their effects-constructive/divergent, destructive/convergent and conservative plate boundaries |
| Case Studies required for 2.1An earthquakeA volcano | |
How volcanoes are formed and its features.
| SHIELD | STRATO |
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Case Study : Mt. Etna (2002-2003)
ACTIVE STRATOVOLCANO
It lies on top of the convergent plate boundary where the African plate is being pushed under the Eurasian plate.
MANAGEMENT
Emergency workers dug channels in the earth in an attempt to divert the northern flow away from the town of Linguaglossa
Volcano monitoring systems to determine when the volcano will erupt, so that the citizens can be warned beforehand
CONSEQUENCES
socio-economic:
2+ weeks International airport of Catania was closed due to the ash
Forced 1000 people to evacuate
Impacted local economy
Schools had to be shut down
environmental:
contributed to air pollution —> volcanic emissions of greenhouse gases and aerosols
Opportunities
The land near the volcano is very fertile and supports extensive agriculture. Vineyards/orchards are spread over lower parts of the volcano.
This also leads to the development of small villages on the slopes.
There are also many job opportunities due to tourism as people are attracted to the volcano and will visit.
Geothermal energy can be harnessed and minerals contained in lava can be mined.
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