Download Geography - Peacehaven Community School

Year 8 Geography Exam Revision sheet
Key terms:
Tectonic plates
The surface of the earth is not one piece but
cracked like a broken egg shell, into 20 or so
giant slabs. These giant slabs are called
"Tectonic Plates".
Conservative plate
boundaries
Convergent plate boundaries
Destructive plate boundaries
Collision plate boundaries
Plates moving side to side
Two plates moving towards each other
One plate moving under another
Two plates moving towards each other and
forming mountains.
The location of volcanoes and earthquakes:
Deep inside Earth, between the molten iron core and the thin crust at the
surface, there is the mantle, a large layer of rock that is largely solid, but
flows like plastic
Japanese tsunami explained:
Most Tsunamis are caused by earthquakes generated
on a destructive plate boundary. The friction
between the subducting and overriding plates is
enormous. The friction prevents a slow and steady
rate of movement and the two plates become ‘stuck’
As the stuck plate continues to descend the motion
causes a slow distortion of the plate above. The result
is an accumulation of energy very similar to the energy
stored in a compressed spring. Energy can accumulate
in the overriding plate over a long period of time –
decades or even centuries.
Energy accumulates in the overriding plate until it
exceeds the friction sticking the two plates
together. When this happens, the overriding plate
snaps forward. This sudden motion is the cause of
the tsunami – because it gives and enormous shove
to the overlying water. At the same time inland
areas of the overriding plate are suddenly
lowered.
The Tsunami races away from the epicentre. The
moving wave begins travelling out from where the
earthquake has occured. Some of the water
travels out and across the ocean basin, and, at the
same time, water rushes landward to flood the
recently lowered shoreline.
Japanese tsunami – Causes, effects and responses
Causes
Effects
Responses
Japan lies on the junction of
three different tectonic
plates which are all moving
towards each other. Creating
an overlocking combination
of three destructive plate
boundaries.
The Fukishima Nuclear
Power Station was badly
damaged by the tidal wave.
Hundreds of thousands were
evacuated from the
surrounding area due to
concerns about the dangers
of the radioactivity in the
region.
Fires started including a fire
in an oil refinery.
It is traditional to cremate
bodies at Japanese funerals.
The crematoriums were
overloaded and so mass
graves were dug for victims.
It is the intention to give
these people full funerals at
a later date.
As the plates jolt apart
energy waves travel through
the earth’s crust.
A tsunami wave which speed
over the open ocean at 800
km/hr. The same speed as a
jumbo jet. The waves
reached heights of up to
40.5 metres.
The continental plate snaps
forwards and shoves up the
ocean above it, sending out a
tidal wave.
The Pacific plate is moving
towards the Eurasian Plate
at a speed of 8.9 cm a year.
15,850 people died and
3,287 are still listed as
missing, most of these died
as a result of the Tsunami.
6,109 people were injured.
116 countries and 28
international organisations
offered assistance to Japan.
One of the biggest tasks
after the Tsunami was the
search for bodies, many
people are still missing
In the aftermath of the
The British Red Cross raised
event 1.5 million homes lost
£14.2 million pounds
access to clean water
supplies.
Important infrastructure
ShelterBox, a disaster relief
was damaged such as roads,
charity, has provided
railways, electricity lines,
emergency accommodation
schools and hospitals. As well
to nearly 1600 families.
as this cellular and landline
phone lines were damaged in
the affected area making
communication difficult.
Shops were emptied as
Nuclear power stations were
people stockpiled food and
shut down and electricity
water in case of further
was rationed following the
difficulties.
event.
Ecosystems
Key terms:
Ecosystem
A system made up of living things (plants and animals) and
their non living environment.
Biome
A very large ecosystem – e.g. Tropical rainforest, tundra,
savannah.
Sustainability
Meeting the needs of today without damaging for future
generations.
The large scale removal of forests.
Deforestation
The benefits of forests and the impact of deforestation.
Globalisation
Key terms:
Globalisation
Flows of money, people and goods which are linking countries around
the world.
Westernisation
When people convert to the customs and practices of countries in
the west like the USA.
Sweatshop
A shop or factory in which employees work for long hours at low
wages or under unhealthy conditions.
Ways to improve Sweatshops
Only employ people over
15
Improve pay by 1p per
day
Reduce working days by
half an hour
Introduce 2 days paid
holiday
Offer free transport to
and from work
Offer reduced housing
rent
Build a school
Offer low cost childcare
Offer shares in the
company
Offer a training scheme
for workers
Build a health centre
Provide clean drinking
water during work
Offer a free basic lunch
Offer their uniform free
Invest in new machinery
Provide a 20 minute
break during their shift
Pay 2p more for night
shifts
Employ a fully trained
health and safety
officer
Improve pay by 10p per
day
Invest in a waste water
management system
Offer a pension scheme
for all workers