Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

Edexecl B GCSE Geography > Hazardous Earth > Flashcards

Hazardous Earth Flashcards

(89 cards)

Start Studying
1
Q

What two ways is heat redistributed globally?

A

Pressure difference (low and high pressure) and ocean currents (hot and cold water moving in different ways)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What causes pressure differences?

A

Heat creates zones of low pressure on land mostly ( land is easier to heat and quicker to cool so it makes the air is hotter and rises) and the sea creates zones of high pressure (absorbs a lot of heat and dose not give a lot of it off )

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Which ocean current affects the UK’s climate and how?

A

The Gulf Stream begins in Mexico, blowing northeast where it branches towards Europe to become North Atlantic drift. It goes toward the UK creating an area of high pressure, unlike what it should be

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is the ITCZ?

A

A band of clouds, rain and occasional thunderstorms (low pressure). Follows the Sun to move around and causes wet and dry seasons.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is in a high pressure zone and how is it caused?

A 
The cold air sinks creating:
No clouds
Clear skies
Heatwaves in summer
Crisp clear frosty days in winter
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is in a low pressure zone and how is it caused?

A

The sun heats the ground, the warm air rises that contains water vapour and forms clouds. Then, the water vapor condenses to form precipitation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is the global circulation model?

A

A theory that explains how the atmosphere operates in a series of 3 cells each side of the equator

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Why is it hotter at the equator?

A

The Sun shines vertically there so the solar radiation is more concentrated in a smaller area resulting in it becoming hot rapidly.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is the Hadley cell?

A

30 degrees either side of the equator. Low pressure at the equator but high pressure at 30 degrees

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is the Ferrel cell?

A

Between 30 and 60 degrees (only cell not caused by temperature)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is the Polar cell?

A

Between 60 and 90 degrees. High pressure at 90 degrees and low pressure at 60 degrees

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What were the past causes of global cooling?

A

Asteroid collisions- millions of tonnes of ash and dust enter the atmosphere and block sunlight for 5-10 years
Eruption theory- a large and explosive reaction gives off ash and sulphur dioxide; blocking sunlight for a short period
Orbital theory- oval shaped orbit causes cooling for a period as we are further away from the Sun (not as much as the other two)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What were the past causes of global warming?

A

Sunspot theory- sunspots are points on the Sun that are emitting more energy, so the more spots, the hotter the Earth for a long period
Orbital theory- at a point in elliptical orbit, we are closer to the Sun, causing and increase in heat

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What is weather?

A

Daily changes in temperature, sunshine, wind direction etc

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is climate?

A

The pattern of weather over a longer period of time (usually 30 years)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What evidence is there for past climate change?

A

Ice cores- layers of ice that trap air containing CO2 for the year the ice was formed from snow
Tree rings- the thicker the ring for that year, the more CO2
Historical sources- paintings, diaries and records but these are often unreliable
Physical features- U shaped valleys etc

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What gasses make up the air without human interference?

A

Nitrogen- 78.1%, carbon dioxide- 0.03%, oxygen- 20.9% and water vapour- 1%

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What are the 4 main greenhouse gasses and their sources?

A

CO2- 89% and is found in fossil fuels, deforestation, factory fumes and wats
Methane- 7% and is found in rice farming, gas pipe leaks, cattle farmers and geysers
Nitrous oxide- 3% and is found in fumes from transport and fertiliser from agriculture
Halocarbons- 1% and is found in hair spray cans, deodorant cans and cleaning products

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What is the human enhanced greenhouse effect?

A

The impact on the climate due to human activity creating increased amounts of greenhouse gasses, therefore creating additional heat

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What evidence is there for current global warming?

A

Fossil fuels emitting greenhouse gases, CO2 and Methan at their highest levels, arctic sea ice shrinking by 10% and over 90% of the world’s valley glaciers are melting/shrinking

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What future predictions are there for the climate?

A

More frequent extreme weather like floods, droughts and heat waves
Europe will experience less tourism due to winter snow
Crop yields will increase in countries further away from the equator
Traditional way of life will be losses as sea ice melts and temperatures increase in arctic regions
Huge loss of biodiversity
Coastal areas being lost or flooding often and areas becoming too hot inhabit

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

What are cyclones?

A

A rotating system of clouds and storms that from and develop over tropical and subtropical waters

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Why are predictions for global temperatures uncertain?

A

Uncertain population growth, lack of knowledge about natural processes that occur which effect climate and the willingness for people to switch to more renewable energy sources

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

What happens in a hurricane/cyclone/typhoon

A

Intense rainfall- not usual for 1000mm of rain to fall in a single storm
Strong winds- whip up objects / vehicles or even take down a whole building
Storm surges- flooding usually caused by unusually high tides (created because there is less air on top of the water)
Landslides- movements of rock, debris and earth downhill, typically when the ground is saturated by rain causing it to slump

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
What three conditions are required for cyclones to form?
``` A large, warm still ocean- surface temperature needs to exceed 26.5 over a long period of time. Strong winds (118km/h) in the troposphere, 10-12km above the Earth’s surface (needed to draw up warm air rapidly from the ocean’s surface) A strong force caused by the Earth’s rotation known as the Coriolis effect (can only form 5-30 degrees either side of the equator) ```
26
When and why do cyclones decay?
On land due to lack of warm water sources.
27
What are the 5 stages of a cyclone formation?
Warm air currents rise from the ocean Up currents of air hold large volumes of water which condenses to form clouds Coriolis effect causes the rising current of air to spiral, making it cool, and descend to form the eye of the cyclone As the cyclone moves away from the ocean, it’s fed with more heat and moisture, making it grow It then reaches land where it losses a lot of energy, air pressure rises as temperature falls, winds drop, rainfall decreases and decays to a mere storm
28
Where was Hurricane Katrina?
Formed in the Atlantic Went from a 2 to a 5 due to the Gulf of Mexico feeding it more hot water Went through Florida as a 2 but met the Gulf of Mexico, became a 5 and then going through New Orleans, it was a 4
29
What key facts are there for Hurricane Katrina?
24th - 30th August 2005 80% of New Orleans flooded due to levees breaking 90000 miles squared affected It hit land at 6 am so people were unprepared Levees broke in 20 places
30
What were the social impacts of Hurricane Katrina?
1 million people displaced 1836 people died 300000 homes were destroyed 3 million left with no electricity
31
What were the economic impacts of Hurricane Katrina?
``` $110 billion worth of damage $300 billion worth of damages including secondary damages Oil platforms destroyed Shops looted Tourism decreased Fuel price increased ```
32
What were the environmental impacts of Hurricane Katrina?
Storm surges flooded large areas of the coast Sugar cane and cotton plants were destroyed Delicate coastal habitats were destroyed
33
What were the responses to Hurricane Katrina?
``` Awareness of hurricanes has increased Building requirements are stricter Defences like levees were improved to withstand higher categories of hurricanes $50 billion given as aid by government National Guard mobilised ```
34
What is a primary effect?
Things that happen instantly
35
What is a secondary effect?
Things that happen in hours, days and weeks after the initial hazard
36
Where was Cyclone Aila?
Formed in the Indian Ocean Bay of Bengal Asia, affecting mostly Bangladesh, some of Nepal and India
37
What were the key facts of Cyclone Aila?
Bangladesh had no computers to plot all the data 21st - 22nd May 2009 (formed) 23rd May 2009 (hit Bangladesh at a category 1 cyclone with winds of 120km/h)
38
What were the social impacts of Cyclone Aila?
Flooding and winds left over 750000 people homeless 200 deaths No sanitation which led to an outbreak of diarrhoea only a week after the cyclone hit 3.5 million people affected Sickness, typhoid and malaria
39
What were the environmental impacts of Cyclone Aila?
Loss of animals caused a loss of animal dung being used as a fuel source, resulting in pressure of firewood sources The endangered Bengal Tiger was affected, with 30 being killed
40
What were the economical impacts of Cyclone Aila?
Crops covered in saltwater died $550 million worth in damages Due to lack of skills, people had to take labouring jobs
41
What is vunerability?
A measure of the extent to which a community or area is likely to be damaged or disrupted by the impact of a hazard
42
What is a risk?
The probability a hazard will cause harmful consequences
43
What are the factors affecting vulnerability?
Preparation- some hazards are easier to predict like flooding and drought Population density- urban areas= more deaths / rural areas= less deaths Building design- secure, flat land > steep, unstable hills Time of day- people may not be awake so there would be more deaths Economy- wealthier people tend to lose more money due to their valuable properties Education- learn how to reduce and avoid the impacts of hazards
44
What methods does the USA (a developed country) use to respond to hurricanes?
Weather forecasting- frequent, accessible but system isn’t up to date, people don’t always follow advice Satellites- help to predict and track hazard but predictions are broad and sometimes, incorrect Warning systems and evacuation strategies- risk services mean emergency services don’t become overwhelmed but zones aren’t always accurate Storm surge defences- saves money on property and insurance with cheaper options but aren’t always reliable and goverment isn’t able to maintain them
45
What methods does Bangladesh (a developing country) use to respond to a cyclone?
Weather forecasting- warning over TV and radio, results in fewer deaths, not as accessible in rural areas Satellite- US’s, China’s and Japan’s shared satellite currently, developing their own, expensive and takes time to build Warning systems- early warning, allows coastal communities to evacuate, time consuming and expensive Evacuation strategies- 3500 shelters, death rate is doubled without them, more still needed and are costly Storm surge defences- embankments, protection against flooding, doesn’t protect the whole country and can fail
46
Where are rainforests located?
Around 0 degrees due to the area of low pressure causing rainfall
47
Where are deserts located?
At areas of high pressure, such as 30 degrees
48
What are the key components of the Earth?
The inner core, the outer core, the lower mantle, the upper mantle and crust
49
What order does the components of the Earth go in?
Crust (continental then oceanic), lithosphere, asthenosphere (upper mantle), lower mantle, outer core and then the inner core
50
What are the features of the crust?
50 km thick (0-70 km thick in some parts) and can be continental or oceanic
51
What are the features of the mantle?
2900 km thick, made of molten rock/magma
52
What are the features of the outer core?
2266 km thick, 4700-5700 degrees and is made of liquid iron and nickel
53
What are the features of the inner core?
Diameter of 1200 km, 5700 degrees and mostly solid iron and nickel
54
What is the lithosphere like?
It is cool and brittle as well as being the closest part to the crust
55
What is the asthenosphere like?
Hot, semi-molten, viscous, quicker and lies beneath the tectonic plates
56
What is radioactive decay?
50% of the Earth’s heat caused by elements in the Earth
57
Why is the Earth’s crust unstable?
Heat source from the core Convection current happen in the outer core Heated rock from the mantle rises Heat moves towards the surface creating magma plumes Semi-molten rock spreads out carrying the tectonic plate Magma cools down and shrinks This cycle continues
58
What evidence is there for continental drift?
Some continents appear to fit together like a jigsaw and fossils from the same animal found in two different continents.
59
What are the features of continental crust?
Made of thick granite, has a lower density than the basalt of oceanic crust, floats on the mantle and it forms the land
60
What are the features of oceanic crust?
Very thin basalt and is denser than the granite therefore, it is bellow the sea
61
What are the features of a divergent plate boundary?
Between two oceanic crusts, they move away from each other, earthquakes tend to be gentle and volcanoes aren’t as violent but more constant
62
What are the features of a convergent plate boundary?
Between an oceanic and continental plate boundary, towards each other (one goes under the other), earthquakes are caused by pressure between the two plate boundaries, fold mountains and volcanoes are formed
63
What are the features of a collision plate boundary?
Between two continental plates, they collide and big earthquakes are formed by a massive build up of friction and pressure
64
What re the features of a conservative plate boundary?
Between two continental plates, moving alongside each other and massive earthquakes are caused due to the build up in pressure
65
What is a hotspot volcano?
Where in the center of a plate, magma rises. This causes the lithosphere to melt and magma pushes through the crust to form a volcano.
66
What are the features of a composite volcano?
Layers of ash and lava layered on top of each other to form a cone shaped peak Violent eruptions with landslides, poisonous steam/ ash is ejected into the sky and rock bombs Thick, slow lava (pyroclastic flow) that runs down the slope Happens at convergent plate boundaries
67
What are the features of shield volcanoes?
Broader, wider peaks that covers a larger area Runny lava that flows down the gentle slope quickly Happens at a divergent plate boundary
68
What is the epicentre?
The point on the Earth’s surface above the focus (above the crust as well)
69
What is the focus?
The point in the crust where the most pressure and tension is being released (inside of the crust)
70
What are seismic waves?
The earthquake’s energy being released
71
What is happening at a convergent plate boundary when an earthquake is taking place?
The movement of the tectonic plates (oceanic and continental) creates friction which builds up and plate boundaries move against each other until the energy is released. Energy is sent out in shockwaves Fractures in the crust between the two plates are concentrated along the fault line
72
What is the Richter scale?
A scale that measures the strength/ magnitude of earthquakes. It is logarithmic meaning it goes up in x10 each level
73
What is seismometer?
It is a device that measures and records seismic waves
74
How is a tsunami formed?
An earthquake is caused underwater Seismic waves spread quickly outward Sea above earthquake forced upwards Sea movement causes tsunami
75
What is the key information about the Haiti earthquake?
12th January 2010 at 4:53 pm Magnitude 7 Conservative plate boundary (two continental) The epicentre was 25 km from the capital (Port-Au-Price)
76
What caused so many deaths during the Haiti earthquake?
The buildings collapsed and fell on people as well as a cholera outbreak
77
What were the primary effects of the Haiti earthquake?
230000 dead 300000 injured 250000 dwellings destroyed or badly damaged Infrastructure completely destroyed (government buildings, hospitals, roads and electricity)
78
What were the secondary effects of the Haiti earthquake?
Cholera outbreak due to poor sanitation Airports unusable Mass graves dug 1 in 5 jobs lost
79
What were the immediate responses to the Haiti earthquake?
Delays caused anger, looting and sporadic violence Mass graves were dug People attempted to save other Supplies were given to limit the spread of disease
80
What were the longer term responses of the Haiti earthquake?
4.3 million provided food rations Water and sanitation provided for 1.7 million $430 million donated as aid
81
What is the key information about the Japan earthquake?
11th March 2011 at 2:45 pm Happened on the east coast of Japan with the nearest town being Sendai There was already a 7.2 earthquake on the 9th The tsunami was travelling at speeds of 500 mph Buildings were already built to be earthquake proof 40% of Japan’s coastline had sea walls up to 10 metres
82
What were the primary effects of the Japan earthquake?
More than 1700 people dead or missing with many unaccounted for (9500 people in a single town) 4 million without electricity A million with no water
83
What were the secondary effects of the Japan earthquake?
Radiation leaks from a damaged nuclear plant 3 workers suffered radiation poisoning 215000 live£ in government housing $15 billion in insured damages
84
What were the immediate responses for the Japan earthquake?
Warnings Specially trained groups sent as aid by the government NGOs and other aid agencies donated $1 billion as aid 340000 people were displaced and given required supplies
85
What were the longer term responses of the Japan earthquake?
6 days after the earthquake, the motorway was repaired
86
What is the greenhouse effect?
The incoming shortwave radiation from the Sun and the outgoing long wave radiation into space. The greenhouse gases trap the some long wave radiation and the rest is lost into space.
87
Where are arid climate zones and what are they like?
Sinking air from the Hadley and Ferrel cells meeting causes high pressure and prevents rainfall with hot temperatures
88
Where are tropical climate zones and what are they like?
Rising air from the two Hadley cells meeting causes low pressure and lots of rainfall. Temperatures are hot because it’s on the equator but rainfall remains constant.
89
Where are polar climate zones and what are they like?
Sinking air from polar cells creates an area of high pressure at the poles. Temperatures are low all year round and there’s little rainfall.

Edexecl B GCSE Geography (2 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions