Answer one question from this section. (a) Study Fig. 4.1 (Insert) and Fig. 4.2. Fig. 4.1 shows information about the risk of earthquakes in Japan. [Figure 4.2] shows the tectonic plates surrounding Japan, an MEDC in Asia.

Mark scheme

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

1. [1] Northern Hokkaido
2. [1] Coastal areas;
3. [1] South-east/south/east (Japan);
4. [1] Shikoku/Honshu/Hokkaido (Note: any 2 named places = 1 mark)
5. [1] Plates meet/Japan is on/close to (destructive etc.) plate boundary(ies)/ between plates
6. [1] Plates move/slide (in relation to each other/away/towards each other etc);
7. [1] Movement is not smooth/plates lock together;
8. [1] Friction/pressure builds;
9. [1] Pressure released;
10. [1] Jerks/jolts; Etc.
11. [1] Work available in the area or example;
12. [1] Wealthy country/high standard of living/good quality of life;
13. [1] Pressure on living space;
14. [1] Cannot afford to move;
15. [1] Friends/family live there;
16. [1] They have lived there all their lives/sentimental attraction;
17. [1] Strong/stable buildings or detail (e.g. deep foundations);
18. [1] Confidence in/education about precautions or example (e.g. drills, rescue teams, warnings given just before earthquake on mobile phones/by sirens, etc.);
19. [1] Prepared to take risk/earthquakes don't occur often; Etc.
20. [1] X: Epicentre
21. [1] Y: Focus/hypocentre
22. [1] Z: Seismic waves/P and S waves/shock waves
23. [1] Poorer hospitals/health care in LEDCs/better hospitals/health care in MEDCs;
24. [1] Emergency services/rescue teams will be less well prepared in LEDCs/ emergency/evacuation planning in MEDCs;
25. [1] Poorer communications in LEDCs prevent rapid rescue;
26. [1] More people will die from secondary effects/ example (e.g. hypothermia/ typhoid, etc.) in LEDCs;
27. [1] Poorer quality buildings in LEDCs/better earthquake proof buildings in an MEDC;
28. [1] In MEDCs buildings have shatterproof glass/pyramidal shape/deep foundations/counterbalances on roofs/steel framework (Max 2);
29. [1] People in LEDCs have less education on how to act in an earthquake/drills;
30. [1] LEDCs are less likely to have earthquake hazard maps/MEDCs population are more able to avoid areas of high vulnerability;
31. [1] Warnings are more likely to be given just before earthquake on mobile phones/sirens/TV/etc. in MEDCs;
32. [1] LEDCs are likely to need/rely on outside help;
33. [1] MEDCs have temporary shelters/food and water/earthquake kits/etc.; Etc.
34. Note: Comparison not needed.
35. Levels marking
36. Level 1 (1–3 marks): Statements including limited detail which explain why flooding has occurred.
37. Level 2 (4–6 marks): Uses named example. More developed statements which explain why flooding has occurred. (Note: Max 5 if no named or inappropriate example.)
38. Level 3 (7 marks): Uses named example. Comprehensive and accurate statements including some place specific reference.
39. Content Guide: Answers are likely to refer to: Heavy rainfall
40. Rainfall over a long period of time
41. Impermeable rocks
42. Rocks reach saturation level
43. Snow/ice melt
44. Deforestation
45. Siltation
46. Steep slopes
47. Urban development
48. Destruction/opening of dams
49. Impact of water from tributaries
50. Lack of protection measures or examples Etc.
51. Place specific reference is likely to consist of: Locational details
52. named places along the river/in the drainage basin
53. specific details of rainfall amounts
54. date/time Etc.