Tectonics module for GCSE

1. Earthquakes Investigation
In this investigation you will examine the cause and effects of an earthquake of your
choice. You are also expected to examine the way people responded to the earthquake
and how people try to manage the earthquake threat. You are expected to use a range
of sources to collect your information. This can include work you have already completed,
the Internet, text books, newpaper articles, TV programmes etc.
Below is a suggested outline for your assignment. You do not have to follow this. It is very
highly recommended that you refer to the mark scheme to help you complete your
assignment.
You will be awarded a national curriculum level for this assignment.
Introduction
• Gather notes from a range of sources using the Who? What? Where? Why? When?
How? method of collecting information for the main features of your chosen
earthquake.
• Once you have gathered your introductory notes organise the facts into a suitable
order and re-tell them.
Main Body
In this section you are going to give a detailed account of each of the following areas:
• Describe and explain the cause of the earthquake.
• Explain the short and long term effects of the earthquake. Link together the effects of
the earthquake on peoples lives, settlements, the infrastructure and economy
(money/jobs etc).
• Describe and explain how the earthquake caused responses locally (what did the
local people do to respond after the earthquake), nationally (the country as a whole
e.g. Government, Army etc.) and internationally (other countries and aid agencies).
• Describe and explain how people attempted to manage the earthquake threat.
• Giving reasons why one human response to earthquakes in more important than
others in leading to increasing/decreasing the impact of the earthquake
Conclusion
• Write a brief summary of your findings
• Suggest solutions to avoid a similar incident (e.g. suggest building techniques and
measures aimed at reducing the chance of building collapse, aid solutions,
prediction and monitoring solutions). Describe and explain each.
• Suggest priority points for the Government of the country affected to reduce the
impact of earthquakes.
Quick Top Tips for GeoExcellence
• Use a range of sources of information that you have researched yourself
• If any of the sources provide conflicting information give reasons for this – is it
anything to do with where or when they were written or who they were written by?
• Include a range of complex diagrams, graphs (scatter graphs/pictograms etc.) to
show a range of effects
• Explain how the earthquake caused responses at different level (locally, nationally
and internationally)
• Explain how the people tried to manage the earthquake threat in relation to how
developed the country is

2. Earthquakes Investigation – Writing Frame
Preparation – complete some research into your earthquake. Use
the Who? What? Where? Why? When? How? method of collecting
information
Who?
What? Where?
Earthquake
:
When? Why?
How?
Writing Frame
The earthquake I am investigation happened in ______________ on __________
at ______________. The earthquake measured ___________ on the _________
_________.
The earthquake happened because ………………………..
[IN THIS SECTION INCLUDE A SKETCH MAP TO SHOW WHERE THE EARTHQUAKE
HAPPENED AND THE PLATES INVOLVED]
The earthquake had a great impact on the area. For example…….
[IN THIS SECTION TALK ABOUT THE IMPACT ON PEOPLE, INFRASTRUCTURE (roads,
water, gas, electricity etc.), SETTLEMENTS, JOBS etc ALSO PRODUCE A GRAPH
TO SHOW THE IMPACT e.g. a bar graph to show the number of dead and
injured]
Many people responded to help. Local people……………………..
People also traveled from other countries to help. For example…………..
The country tried to reduce the impact of the earthquake. For example……….
In order to reduce problems like this in the future the Government
could…………………..