“The hazards presented by volcanic and seismic events have the greatest impact on the world’s poorest people.” To what extent do you agree with this view? (40 marks) Is this question a LDC vs MDC debate?

Initial planning What is a hazard? Which case studies are you going to use? (developed/developing & volcano/seismicity) How might wealth influence impacts? What aspect of management before/after might influence impacts linked to development? Which groups within one country might be more or less vulnerable based on wealth? What else might be more important than wealth?

What is a Hazard? Death toll? People affected? Environmental? Cost $$$$$? Length of impact? Scale of impact (area)? Do you have examples for some of these?

Which case studies are you going to use Which case studies are you going to use? (developed/developing & volcano/seismicity) No need to unload massive case studies Use a variety of case studies to illustrate your key points

How might wealth influence impacts? Less likely to evacuate? Weaker housing? Less likely to be insured? Location of housing? Access to warning systems? Any examples to back these up?

What aspect of management before/after might influence impacts linked to development? Laws regarding planning Warning systems Drills Capacity of response Expertise and equipment Any examples?

Which groups within one country might be more or less vulnerable based on wealth? Were any groups affected more than others based on wealth? Shanty towns? Poor forced to live in danger zone? Any case studies?

What else might be more important than wealth? Location? Time of day/year? Year? Size of event? Examples????

Any other angles?

To what extent? Debate Conclude To what extent allows you to build an argument without a definite yes/no answer is an extremely common beginning to exam essay questions. It allows the student to show not only the depth of their knowledge on the given subject, but also to display independent judgement in analysing the importance of different pieces of information.

Remember the mark scheme…

Synopticity • a critical understanding of the processes that produce volcanic and earthquake hazard events and the context in which they are produced • understanding the context of varying timescales and spatial variations • a critical understanding of the impact of volcanic and earthquake events • an understanding of the vulnerability of different populations to these hazards • a critical understanding of the vulnerability of different regions, particularly an understanding of the differences between richer and poorer areas and the contrast between urban and rural environments • understanding the capacity and willingness of people to deal with these hazards

Final pointers Intro Justify your paragraphs (one theme for each) Make sure you are always answering the question (refer back to it in each paragraph) Make sure you bear in mind the need to show critical understanding and synopticity Conclude to answer the initial question