Year 10 - Geography
Global distribution of earthquakes and volcanoes
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 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 how most earthquakes and volcanoes are located at plate margins.
Key Notes
- There is a pattern in the global distribution of earthquakes.
- There is a pattern in the global distribution of volcanoes.
- The global distribution of earthquakes and volcanoes coincides with plate margins.
Vocabulary To Learn
- epicentre: the point on Earth's surface that is directly above where an earthquake happens underground
- magnitude: a measure of the energy released by an earthquake
- margin: the boundary where tectonic plates meet
- hotspot: an area in Earth's mantle where unusually hot magma rises toward the surface, creating volcanic activity
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- That both volcanoes and earthquakes occur at all types of plate margin.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this geography topic using two clear key points.
There is a pattern in the global distribution of earthquakes. There is a pattern in the global distribution of volcanoes.
2. Define this geography term and use it in an example. 'epicentre'
the point on Earth's surface that is directly above where an earthquake happens underground.
3. Correct this common geography misunderstanding.
Mistake: That both volcanoes and earthquakes occur at all types of plate margin. Correction: While earthquakes are produced by tectonic movements at all plate margins, volcanoes are not found at conservative plate margins.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Examples of management of earthquake hazards Study Guide
- Examples of management of volcanic hazards Study Guide
- Impacts of earthquakes in a developed and a developing country Study Guide
- Impacts of volcanoes in a developed and an emerging country Study Guide
- Plate tectonics theory Study Guide
- Processes at conservative plate margins Study Guide
- Processes at constructive/divergent plate margins Study Guide
- Processes at destructive/convergent plate margins Study Guide
- Reducing risks from earthquakes and volcanoes Study Guide
- The structure of the Earth 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.