AO1 (3 marks)/AO2 (9 marks)

Marking instructions

Markers must apply the descriptors in line with the general marking guidance and the qualities outlined in the levels-based mark scheme below.

Responses that demonstrate only AO1 without any AO2 should be awarded marks as follows:

Level 1 AO1 performance: 1 mark
Level 2 AO1 performance: 2 marks
Level 3 AO1 performance: 3 marks.

Indicative content guidance

The indicative content below is not prescriptive and candidates are not required to include all of it. Other relevant material not suggested below must also be credited. Relevant points may include:

AO1

mega-disasters are large-scale disasters on either an areal scale or in terms of their economic and human impact
they pose serious problems for successful management to minimise impact and mitigate the impact of the disaster
they need often require international management both short term and longer term

AO2

extreme events are likely to pose serious challenges for any governance, however well-planned, e.g. the 2011 Japanese tsunami
extreme events are by their nature unpredictable (1- in a 1000-year events) and so prediction is difficult and prevention is impossible, sometimes secondary and tertiary outcomes occur, e.g. Fukushima
disaster management, pre-, during and after the event, can have a significant impact on losses, e.g. comparison of Japanese tsunami with Indian Ocean, Boxing Day tsunami
strong governance can lead to very effective management of immediate disaster recovery, e.g. Sichuan earthquake in China, as well as the development of longer-term education and community preparation strategies
however, management is expensive and with long return intervals there are strains on budgets that may affect levels of investment, e.g. San Francisco and ‘the big one’
democratic governance is also often driven by short-term budgetary constraints which make saving money on management measures very tempting, given that it is expensive
governance is important but it has limitations such as the affordability of prediction and prevention measures, especially in the management of mega-disasters immediately after the event, e.g. Haiti, therefore, other factors such as level of development are likely to be more important.

9-12 Marks Level Description:

Demonstrates accurate and relevant geographical knowledge and understanding throughout. (AO1)
Applies knowledge and understanding of geographical information/ideas logically, making relevant connections/relationships. (AO2)
Applies knowledge and understanding of geographical information/ideas to produce a full and coherent interpretation that is relevant and supported by evidence. (AO2)
Applies knowledge and understanding of geographical information/ideas to make supported judgements about the significance of factors throughout the response, leading to a balanced and coherent argument. (AO2)

Management of Tectonic Hazards (Edexcel A Level Geography)

Topic Questions