Tectonic Hazards (compulsory)

Tectonic hazards are natural events caused by the movement of Earth's lithospheric plates, including earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and tsunamis. This topic is compulsory in WJEC A-Level Geography because it forms a core part of understanding physical landscapes and their interaction with human societies. You will explore the theory of plate tectonics, the processes at different plate boundaries, and the resulting hazards. The topic also examines how these hazards affect people and environments, and how societies manage risk through prediction, preparation, and response.

Understanding tectonic hazards is crucial because they pose significant threats to life and infrastructure, particularly in developing countries with limited resources. The topic links to wider geographical themes such as hazard management, vulnerability, resilience, and sustainable development. You will study case studies like the 2010 Haiti earthquake and the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami to compare impacts and responses across different contexts. This knowledge helps you appreciate the complex relationship between natural processes and human decision-making, a key theme in geography.

Mastering this topic requires a blend of physical geography (plate tectonics, seismology, volcanology) and human geography (risk perception, governance, aid). You will need to evaluate the effectiveness of management strategies and consider ethical issues around inequality and disaster response. This topic also prepares you for synoptic thinking, as it connects with other areas like climate change (e.g., melting ice reducing pressure on faults) and globalisation (e.g., supply chain disruptions from eruptions).