Year 10 - Geography
Processes at constructive/divergent plate margins
Natural and tectonic hazards
Study Hub
Study Guides
This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
This unit teaches pupils about natural and tectonic hazards, their location, causes and effects. Pupils learn about the different types of hazard before focusing on earthquakes and volcanoes. Pupils will learn about tectonic processes, hazard impacts and the options for mitigation and adaptation.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to explain the processes at constructive/divergent plate margins and the causes of earthquakes and volcanoes.
Key Notes
- Constructive/divergent plate margins involve two plates moving away from each other.
- Distinctive processes occur at constructive/divergent plate margins.
- Earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur at constructive/divergent plate margins and have distinctive characteristics.
Vocabulary To Learn
- rift valley: a long, narrow depression formed when a tectonic plate stretches and fractures at a constructive margin, causing the land to sink between parallel fault lines
- shield volcano: a broad, gently sloping volcano formed by basaltic lava that is runny and flows easily. Eruptions tend to be effusive rather than explosive - lava flows out
- magnitude: a measure of the energy released by an earthquake; a higher magnitude means a stronger earthquake
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Volcanoes only occur on land.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this geography topic using two clear key points.
Constructive/divergent plate margins involve two plates moving away from each other. Distinctive processes occur at constructive/divergent plate margins.
2. Define this geography term and use it in an example. 'rift valley'
a long, narrow depression formed when a tectonic plate stretches and fractures at a constructive margin, causing the land to sink between parallel fault lines.
3. Correct this common geography misunderstanding.
Mistake: Volcanoes only occur on land. Correction: In fact, volcanoes occur underwater as well as on land, especially at constructive plate margins and hot spots.
More Lessons In This Unit
- An example of effects and responses to a tectonic hazard in an HIC Study Guide
- An example of effects and responses to a tectonic hazard in an LIC Study Guide
- An introduction to natural hazards Study Guide
- Factors affecting hazard risk Study Guide
- Global distribution of earthquakes and volcanoes Study Guide
- Plate tectonics theory Study Guide
- Primary and secondary effects and responses to tectonic hazards Study Guide
- Processes at conservative plate margins Study Guide
- Processes at destructive/convergent plate margins Study Guide
- Reducing risks from earthquakes and volcanoes Study Guide
- Using GIS to visualise physical processes at different types of plate margin Study Guide
Browse all guides in the Year 10 Geography guide library.