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Year 8 - Geography

Living in earthquake regions

Tectonic hazards: Why is Earth restless?

Unit Summary

This unit teaches pupils about the physical processes that lead to tectonic hazards and investigates the geographical pattern of hazards across the world. Pupils will also learn how tectonic hazards affect people in different places and how people seek to manage hazards.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to explain to what extent people can anticipate earthquakes and how they survive living in areas affected by earthquakes.

Key Notes

  • Scientists can calculate the probability of an earthquake happening within an area in the future.
  • It is not currently possible to predict exactly when or where earthquakes will occur.
  • Earthquake detection can only provide seconds of warning.
  • Drop-cover-hold is practised during earthquake drills.
  • Base isolators, flexible building materials, strong shapes and mass dampers help create earthquake-resistant buildings.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • probability: the chance of something occurring, such as an earthquake
  • prediction: saying exactly when, where and what will happen
  • detection: identifying that something has just happened or is happening now

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Earthquakes can be predicted a few weeks or days before they happen so that people can evacuate.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain this geography topic using two clear key points.

Scientists can calculate the probability of an earthquake happening within an area in the future. It is not currently possible to predict exactly when or where earthquakes will occur.

2. Define this geography term and use it in an example. 'probability'

the chance of something occurring, such as an earthquake.

3. Correct this common geography misunderstanding.

Mistake: Earthquakes can be predicted a few weeks or days before they happen so that people can evacuate. Correction: Humans can calculate the probability of an earthquake happening within a region, over a long period of time. It is not possible to predict exactly when or where earthquakes will occur, or of what size.

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 8 Geography guide library.