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Section
D
Marjorie Henry, Contributor
Today,
I will turn my attention to the last
section of the question paper - Section
D. This section deals with the human-environment
systems and covers the topics, natural
hazards and environmental degradation.
Like sections B and C, Section D has
three questions from which you choose
only one.
Question
8 is the first question in this section.
Here is the entire question.
(a)
Study Figures 4 (a) and 4 (b) which
show Plymouth, Montserrat before and
after a volcanic eruption and list
FOUR changes which have taken place.
Figure
4 (a) Plymouth, Montserrat,before
the eruption
Figure
4(b). Plymouth, Montserrat, after
the eruption
(4
marks)
(Source:
Ottley and Gentles, Geography for
CSEC,Pearson Educational Limited,
2006, p217.)
(b)(i)
Define the term natural hazard. (2
marks)
(ii)
Outline THREE ways by which natural
hazards can affect the economic development
of Caribbean countries. (6 marks)
(c)
You have been asked to prepare a household
disaster plan for your family. List
SIX items in your plan and suggest
a reason why EACH is important. (12
marks)
Total
24 marks
This
question is entirely on natural hazards.
It tests all the specific objectives
outlined in the syllabus for this
topic. These are:
1.
Define a natural hazard
2.
Describe the impact of one of the
following on life and property: volcanic
eruptions, earthquakes and hurricanes
3.
Explain the response to natural hazards
in a named Caribbean country at an
individual, national and regional
level.
In
contrast to the other questions already
discussed, part (a) of question 8
has two photographs as the stimulus
material. As the instruction states,
you are to study them carefully and
list FOUR changes which took place
after the volcanic eruption. Just
in case you are unaware of this, may
I take time to inform you that one
of the specific objectives under map
reading and field study is being able
to interpret geographical data from
a given photograph.
In
comparing both photographs, here are
some changes that took place:
- The
buildings were destroyed
- The
vegetation was destroyed
- There
was a build-up of lava and Pyroclastic
materials
- Roadways
are covered with materials and cannot
be seen
- Dense,
thick clouds, possibly of fine volcanic
ash was visible
Part
(b) (i) requires a definition on the
term natural hazard. The following
are from two of your recommended textbooks:
(a)
A natural hazard is an extreme event
that threatens human life and property.
(b)
A natural hazard is a natural event
that causes damage to property and/or
disruption to normal life, and it
may cause loss of life.
Part
(b)(ii) Ways by which natural hazards
can affect the economic development
of Caribbean countries are as follows:
- There
can be complete destruction of the
agriculture and tourism sectors
as a result of a hurricane, for
example. This is a loss of productive
assets which impedes economic development.
- The
destruction of the agriculture and
tourism sectors also results in
a loss of jobs.
- Hurricanes
as well as volcanic eruption can
also cause the closure of airports
and seaports. This will impact the
movement of goods to and from the
country. In short, trade will be
affected.
- The
foreign exchange earnings from exports
and tourism can be wiped out for
a substantial period by a single
hurricane. Countries in the Caribbean
do not have economies that are diversified;
they are highly dependent
on tourism and exports. The countries
that are affected are unable to
earn foreign exchange at a time
when it is most needed to acquire
goods and services from abroad as
inputs for the reconstruction.
- Landslides
may lead to loss of life, disruption
of transport and communications,
and damage to property and infrastructure.
The repair work can cost millions
of dollars and impact negatively
on economic development.
- Landslides
may also block roads so hindering
the movement of people and goods.
- Tremors
produced by earthquakes can cause
buildings to collapse, burying people
inside them. The rebuilding process
is costly and can set back economic
growth.
The
discussion continues in the next lesson.
References:
CSEC New Integrated Geography -
Sheldon G. Bleasdell et al
Geography
for CSEC - Nelson Thornes
Geography
for CSEC - Jeanette Ottley et
al
Marjorie
Henry is an independent contributor.
Send questions and comments to kerry-ann.hepburn@gleanerjm.com
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