Hazardous Earth

Question 1

What is the name for a cool period of time on earth?

Answer 1

Glacial period

Question 2

What are the four natural causes of climate change?

Answer 2

Orbital Theory, Solar Activity, Volcanic Activity and Asteroid Collision

Question 3

How has volcanic activity impacted upon the Earth’s climate in the past?

Answer 3

Causes global temperatures to drop as the ash fills the atmosphere and blocks the Sun’s rays

Question 4

How do historical records provide evidence of past climate change?

Answer 4

Historical records such as paintings, newspaper articles and religious records may provide us with information about the past climate e.g. frost fairs on the River Thames

Question 5

Give an example of a greenhouse gas

Answer 5

Methane or Carbon Dioxide

Question 6

Name at least three human activities that produce greenhouse gases and enhance
the greenhouse effect.

Answer 6

Electricity production, transport, industry and agriculture

Question 7

What are three pieces of evidence for human-induced climate change?

Answer 7

Global temperature records, rising sea levels, decline of Arctic sea ice, increased extreme weather events

Question 8

What are the two reasons for global sea level rise?

Answer 8

Sea level rise is caused by melting glaciers and ice caps and thermal expansion

Question 9

Identify at least three possible consequences of climate change.

Answer 9

loss of homes and agricultural land, stronger and more frequent tropical storms, longer and more frequent droughts, pests and diseases are more widespread, food and water supply problems

Question 10

Why is it difficult to make projections for how much sea levels could rise by?

Answer 10

We can’t say for certain what the world population will be in 50-100 years time.

Question 11

What are three pieces of evidence for natural climate change?

Answer 11

Tree Ring Analysis, Ice Core Analysis, Historical Sources

Question 12

What climatic conditions would you associate with high pressure systems?

Answer 12

Dry/arid conditions – little to no rainfall because there is no opportunity for clouds to form

Question 13

On a climate graph, what do the bars represent?

Answer 13

Precipitation

Question 14

On a climate graph, what does the red line represent?

Answer 14

Temperature

Question 15

What is the name of the process that causes the Earth’s tectonic plates to move?

Answer 15

Convection Currents

Question 16

Explain two characteristics of a shield volcano.

Answer 16

Shield volcanoes form at divergent plate boundaries. They are low in height and
feature wide bases with gentle slopes (shaped like a shield) - this is due to the non-
viscous (thin and runny) lava which can travel over great distances before cooling
and solidifying. Eruptions tend to be frequent and non-violent because the magma has a lower gas content and a lower viscosity.

Question 17

Explain two characteristics of a composite volcano.

Answer 17

Composite volcanoes form at convergent plate boundaries. They are typically
more cone-shaped and feature much steeper sides than shield volcanoes. Composite
volcanoes don’t erupt very often but they are very violent/explosive due to the magma having a high gas content and a high viscosity (thick and sticky).

Question 18

What is a hotspot?

Answer 18

It is literally a ‘hot spot’ on the Earth’s surface, often found in the middle of a
tectonic plate e.g. Hawaii.

Question 19

What is the name of the scale that earthquakes are measured on?

Answer 19

The moment-magnitude scale

Question 20

What causes tsunamis?

Answer 20

16. Underwater earthquakes caused by tectonic activity

Question 21

How can the impact of earthquakes be reduced?

Answer 21

The 3 P’s - Prediction (currently very difficult to predict earthquakes), Planning
and Preparation (training emergency services, plan evacuation routes, have regular earthquake/tsunami drills in schools/workplaces, build earthquake-proof buildings)