O-LevelGeographyThe natural environment2217/22 · May/June 2025 · Q58 Marks

Fig. 5.1 (Insert) shows the location of the largest magnitude earthquakes in 2022 together with their depth of focus.

(a)Using Fig. 5.1, tick (✔) the three correct statements. Most earthquakes occur on or near to the coast. The earthquakes are equally distributed around the world. The Atlantic and Indian Oceans each have one earthquake. The biggest concentration of earthquakes is in the South Pacific Ocean. The earthquakes with a deep depth of focus all occur on land. The earthquakes with a deep depth of focus have the highest magnitudes.[3]
(b)(i)Study Fig. 5.2 (Insert), which shows a weak relationship between magnitude and number of deaths. Use evidence from Fig. 5.2 to support this statement.[2]
(b)(ii)Suggest two reasons why some major earthquakes cause no deaths. 1 2[2]
(c)Earthquakes are caused by tectonic plate movement. Tick one box (✔) to show the cause of this movement. cause tick (✔) conduction convection radiation[1]

This question uses a diagram from the original paper, which isn't shown here. Open the full paper from the past papers archive to see it.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2025). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

[3] (a) (1st) most earthquakes occur on or near to the coast; (3rd) the Atlantic and Indian Ocean each have one earthquake; (4th) the biggest concentration of earthquakes is in the South Pacific Ocean.
[2] (b)(i) Credit any valid statement and/or data that supports a weak relationship; assume that one would expect a strong positive relationship: number of deaths and magnitude fluctuate; a positive relationship/correlation in some years but negative in other years; two peaks for number of deaths but varying magnitude/one shows a high magnitude and the other shows a low magnitude; two magnitude peaks, one has a high number of deaths and the other has a low number of deaths; many years have no deaths, but the magnitude varies; magnitudes have a similar/narrow range, but death rates have a wide variation; Use of data that shows variation in deaths and/or magnitude. Examples: An earthquake with a high magnitude had no deaths = 1. A magnitude of 8 had 0 deaths but a magnitude of 6.2 had 10000 deaths = 1. A magnitude 7 earthquake (in 2010) caused 225 000 deaths whilst one of 9.1 magnitude only caused 25 500 deaths (in 2011). Check data is correct using the following table: allow tolerance of +/-0.1 for magnitude and +/– 5000 for deaths.
[2] (b)(ii) in the sea/away from the land; earthquake/epicentre away from large areas of population/in unpopulated areas/rural areas/low population density; earthquakes at deeper depths/deeper focus (so the seismic energy dissipates before reaching the surface); solid rock can absorb the intensity of shaking; strong construction methods/earthquake proofing of buildings or examples 1 mark max.
[1] (c) Convection