A case study of an earthquakes, its effects and responses.
(Links with the Hazardous Environment module of the 9696 syllabus for the Geography International A-Level)
The following provides lesson resources for this case study:
Learning Objectives:
To find out what happened during the earthquakes, what tectonic processes triggered the earthquakes and what the effects were
To evaluate the recovery so far.
To practise applying this knowledge to A Level exam questions.
Key Facts
On February 6, 2023, a 7.8-magnitude earthquake rocked southeast Turkey near the Syrian border, with thousands of aftershocks.
In Syria, the earthquake exacerbated the effects of the ongoing war, deepening the crisis for approximately 3.7 million children.
According to the U.N. Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the earthquake impacted an estimated 15.73 million people in Syria and Turkey.
In Turkey, 2.5 million children — many of them Syrian refugees — faced an increased risk of poverty, child labor, or child marriage in the aftermath of the disaster.
Turkey hosts the largest number of refugees in the world, including some 3.6 million Syrians, according to UNHCR.
Source: https://www.worldvision.org/disaster-relief-news-stories/2023-turkey-and-syria-earthquake-faqs
Starter:
Watch this clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzacjIa0EZ4
On a scale of 1-10 (1 being poor, 10 being excellent), what do you think your chances of survival would be? Now write why in your own opinion.
Main Task
Use the resources below to help you fill in the table.
What happened? |
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What caused the earthquake? (Be specific about the Turkey/Syria area) |
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Effects (Social, economic, environmental) |
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What compounded the effects? |
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What has the recovery been like so far? (Explain the difference in recovery efforts on the Turkey and Syria sides of the border) Consider what else needs to be done and what could be done. |
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Exam question practice:
Examine the causes and consequences of a major earthquake event, using a specific case study to illustrate your answer. In your response, address:
- The tectonic factors responsible for the earthquake.
- The immediate and long-term social, economic, and environmental consequences of the event.
- How the level of preparedness and response affected the outcome.
(20 marks)
Use the mark scheme below to help you:
The mark scheme for the question on earthquake causes and consequences is divided into four levels of response, each assessing understanding, case study use, and analysis depth.
Level 1 (1–5 marks): Responses show limited knowledge of tectonic causes, with vague or incorrect references to processes and weak case study support. Consequences are poorly explained, and there is little mention of preparedness or response. Geographical terminology is limited or inaccurate.
Level 2 (6–10 marks): Candidates demonstrate a basic understanding of tectonic causes with some reference to plate boundaries and fault lines. The case study is relevant but lacks detail. Consequences are more clearly differentiated (social, economic, environmental), but analysis remains general. Preparedness and response are mentioned, though without much depth.
Level 3 (11–15 marks): Answers show a good understanding of tectonic processes, with well-explained causes and relevant case study details. Consequences are discussed in detail, and both immediate and long-term impacts are explored. There is a more thorough analysis of preparedness and response, linked to the case study.
Level 4 (16–20 marks): Responses demonstrate in-depth knowledge of tectonic causes and consequences, with detailed case study evidence. There is a comprehensive analysis of preparedness and response efforts, critically evaluating their effectiveness. Terminology is accurate and well-used throughout.
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