PLATE TECTONIC IGCSE REVISION WORKBOOK

OXFORD MANOR COLLEGE ABUJA, NIGERIA

COMPILED BY: Mr Mathew mathewdavidikwuoche@gmail.com

QUESTION 1 (a) Study Fig. 1, which shows where major earthquakes have taken place in California, USA.

(i) How many earthquakes took place on the San Andreas Fault?____________________ [1]
(ii) San Francisco was affected by an earthquake in 1989. What was the distance and direction of this
earthquake from San Francisco?_________________________________[2]
(iii) Explain briefly why earthquakes take place on or close to major faults, such as the San Andreas
Fault.
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(b) San Francisco is still at risk from earthquakes. Study Photographs A, B and C, which were taken in San
Francisco.

Photography A

Photography B
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 PHOTOGCRAPHY C

(i) Suggest three likely impacts of a major earthquake on the areas shown in the photographs.

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(ii) The Transamerica Pyramid is marked by an ‘X’ on Photograph C. In the 1989 earthquake it
shook for more than a minute but the building was undamaged and no one was seriously injured. What
measures can be taken to protect people from earthquakes?
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 (iii) Explain why many people continue to live in areas at risk from natural hazards.

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(c) In many parts of the world the natural environment presents hazards to people.
Choose an example of one of the following:
• a volcanic eruption
• a tropical storm
• a drought
For a named area, describe the short-term and long-term effects of the example which you have chosen
on people living in the area.
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IGCSE 2007

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 2 (a) Study Fig. 2, which shows major plates and the location of fold mountains

(i) What is meant by fold mountains? ___________________________ [1]

(ii) Name the fold mountains which have been formed close to the boundaries between:

A South American and the Nazca plates; _________________

B the Eurasian and the Indo-Australian plates. ___________________ [2]

(iii) The following processes take place at certain plate boundaries, shown on Fig. 2. For each process,
name two plates which share a boundary along which it is happening.

A sea floor spreading _____________________________

B subduction ___________________________________

C plates sliding past each other _________________________________ [3]

(iv) Explain why fold mountains are formed close to some plate boundaries.

You may use labelled diagrams in your answer.

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(b) Study Fig. 3, which shows information about the location of volcanoes in relation to constructive and
destructive plate boundaries.

Explain how plate movement results in volcanoes being formed at:

A constructive plate boundaries;

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 B destructive plate boundaries.

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You may use labelled diagrams in your answers.

(c) Many people live in areas where there are natural hazards such as:
• volcanic eruptions
• earthquakes
• tropical storms
• flooding
• drought
Name an area which you have studied and state the natural hazard(s) faced by the people who live there.
Explain why people live in the area.
Name of Area_____________________________________________
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_____________________________________________________ [7] [Total: 25 marks] IGCSE 2008
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QUESTION 3 Study Fig. 4, which shows an area before and after a volcanic eruption.

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 (i) What is an active volcano?

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(ii) Using only evidence from Fig. 4, explain how the volcanic eruption changed the physical features of
the area shown.
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(iii) Using only evidence from Fig. 4, describe three likely problems which the volcanic eruption may have
caused for people living in the area.
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(iv) Describe what can be done to protect people from volcanic eruptions.
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(b) Study Fig. 5, which shows information about volcanoes in Iceland.

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 (i) Using evidence from Fig. 5, explain why there are volcanoes in Iceland.

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(ii) Suggest how volcanoes are likely to benefit the people who live in countries such as Iceland.
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(c) Tropical storms are another type of natural hazard.

Explain why the effects of tropical storms of the same strength are likely to be greater in an LEDC than an
MEDC. Refer to examples which you have studied.
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[Total: 25 marks]

Oxford Manor College Abuja Nigeria year 10 10

QUESTION 4

(a) Study Fig. 6, which shows information about an earthquake in Sichuan province, China, which occurred
in May 2008.

(i) Where was the epicentre of the Sichuan earthquake? _____________________________________ [1]

(ii) Name two settlements where over 20 000 people were killed by the Sichuan earthquake.
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 (iii) Suggest three reasons why many thousands of people were killed by this earthquake.
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(iv) Explain the long-term effects which are likely to result from this earthquake.
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(b) Study Fig. 7, an article from a website about the Sichuan earthquake.

(i) Suggest three different ways to protect people in Sichuan province from future earthquakes.
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(ii) Explain why many people live in areas such as Sichuan, even though they are at risk from earthquakes.

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(c) Explain the causes of an earthquake which occurred in a named area which you have studied.
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[Total: 25 marks] IGCSE 2010

QUESTION 5

(a) Study Fig. 8, which shows major plates and the location of fold mountains.

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 (i) Use Fig. 8 to identify the Fold Mountains which are along the boundary between the Eurasian
and Indo-Australian plates. ..................................................................... [1]
(ii) Explain how Fold Mountains have been formed along this collision boundary.

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(iii) Name the type of plate boundary between the following plates:
A Nazca plate and South American plate; ..................................................
B Antarctic plate and Pacific plate; ..................................................
C North American plate and Pacific plate. .................................................. [3]
(iv) Describe the processes which occur at convergent (destructive) plate boundaries to cause volcanic
eruptions.
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(b) Study Fig. 9, which shows information about earthquakes in the Caribbean.

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 (I) Explain why many earthquakes have occurred in the area shown in Fig. 9.

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(ii) Many countries in the area shown in Fig. 9 are LEDCs. Explain why earthquakes often have
devastating effects in LEDCs.

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(c) For a named example which you have studied, explain why people live close to a volcano.

Name of volcano ....................................................................

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 QUESTION 6

(a) Study Fig. 10, a map which shows major plates and some fold mountains.

(i) What is meant by Fold Mountains?

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(ii) Use Fig. 10 to name the two plates which are moving towards each other forming the Andes.

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2 .......................................................................................................................... [2]

(iii) Explain how fold mountains are formed in some areas where plates are moving towards each other.

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 (b) Study Fig. 11, which shows the main features of an active volcano.

(i) Using ideas from Fig. 11, describe three different hazards which an active volcano may cause for people.

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(ii) Explain why there are active volcanoes along destructive plate boundaries.

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 (iii) Explain how an area of volcanic activity can provide opportunities for people living there.

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(c) For a named area which you have studied, describe the impacts of an earthquake.

Name of area ...................................................................................................................

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IGCSE 2013 [Total: 25 marks]

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QUESTION 7

(a) Study Fig. 12, which shows information about the area around the Red Sea.

(i) What type of plate boundary passes through the Red Sea?
Choose from the following:
Conservative Constructive Destructive ……………….. ................................................ [1]
(ii) Explain why plate movement, such as that shown on Fig. 12, occurs.

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(iii) Explain why earthquakes occur close to plate boundaries.
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(iv) Explain why people live in areas where earthquakes occur.

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(b) Study Fig. 13, a poster displayed in a school in Mumbai, India.

(i) Explain how the advice given in the poster may reduce the numbers of deaths and injuries if an
earthquake occurs.

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(ii) Explain why earthquakes of the same magnitude (strength) are likely to cause more deaths and injuries in
an LEDC than an MEDC.

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(c) For a named example of a volcanic eruption you have studied, describe its effects on people and the
natural environment.

Name of volcano ...............................................

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[Total: 25 marks]

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 QUESTION 8

(a) Study Fig. 14 (Insert), a map of the area around Mount St. Helens, a volcano in the USA.

(i) What is the height of Mount St. Helens? ………………………… metres [1]

(ii) Identify two features which suggest that tourists visit Mount St. Helens.

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2................................................................................................................................................................ [2]

(iii) Give three pieces of evidence from Fig.14 that Mount St. Helens volcano has erupted.

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2..........................................................................................................................................................................

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 3.....................................................................................................................................................................[3]

(iv) Mount St. Helens is on a destructive plate boundary. Explain why volcanoes erupt on destructive plate
boundaries.

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(b) Study Fig. 15, which shows an ash cloud from the eruption of a volcano in Iceland in 2010

(i)
Describe the distribution of the area covered by the ash cloud.

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(ii) Explain how a volcanic eruption can damage the economy of a country.

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(c) Another natural hazard is a drought. For a named area you have studied, describe the impacts of a
drought.

Named area .............................................

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[Total: 25 marks] 2014 IGCSE

Oxford Manor College Abuja Nigeria year 10 24

 QUESTION 9

(a) Study Fig. 16, which shows the Earth’s tectonic plates

(i) What is meant by plate boundary?

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(ii) Draw two arrows on Fig. 16 to show the direction of movement of any two plates at each side of a
plate boundary. [2]

(iii) Explain why volcanoes erupt at constructive plate boundaries.

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 (iv) Explain why volcanoes erupt at destructive plate boundaries.

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(b) Study Fig. 17, which shows an area just before it experienced a large earthquake.

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 (i) Describe three likely effects of an earthquake on the area shown in Fig. 17.

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(ii) Explain why the number of deaths and injuries caused by earthquakes is greater in LEDCs than MEDCs.

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(c) Explain the causes of an earthquake in a named area you have studied.

Name of area ...............................................

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[Total: 25 marks] IGCSE 2015

Oxford Manor College Abuja Nigeria year 10 27