O-LevelGeographyThe natural environment2217/22 · Oct/Nov 2025 · Q48 Marks

Fig. 4.1 shows the tectonic plates and volcanic features of part of the USA. Mount St Helens is a volcano which erupted violently on 18 May 1980. Content removed due to copyright restrictions. Fig. 4.1 Using Fig. 4.1, describe the location of Mount St Helens.

(a)(i)Fig. 4.1 shows the tectonic plates and volcanic features of part of the USA. Mount St Helens is a volcano which erupted violently on 18 May 1980. Content removed due to copyright restrictions. Fig. 4.1 Using Fig. 4.1, describe the location of Mount St Helens.[2]
(a)(ii)Name the type of plate boundary found between the Juan de Fuca and North American plates. Use Fig. 4.1 to explain your answer. name of type of plate boundary explanation[2]
(b)Fig. 4.2 (Insert) shows the effects of the Mount St Helens eruption on the surrounding area. Using Fig. 4.2, describe the impact of the eruption on the human environment.[4]

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Mark scheme

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

[2] 4(a)(i) • part of/in the Cascade Range/in the N of the Cascade Range • 90–110 km from the coast/closest mountain to the coast/near/east side the Pacific Ocean (coast)/ W coast of USA • south of Seattle/130–160 km from Seattle • near/160–180 km from the plate boundary of the North American and Juan de Fuca Plates • between Mt Rainier and Mt Hood/ N/NW of Mt Hood and S/SW of Mt Rainier
[2] 4(a)(ii) • convergent/oceanic continental/destructive plate boundary (reserve 1 mark) • plates moving towards each other/collide/converge • Juan de Fuca/oceanic plate goes under/subducts under the North American Plate/continental plate
[4] 4(b) • bridges washed away/destroyed 'road and rail bridges washed away/destroyed' = 1 (not 2) • road(s) destroyed/blocked/flooded/covered by mudflows/ash • barge/river transport stopped/water supply disrupted • forest/trees destroyed/blown over burnt/covered in ash • orchards destroyed • fish farm/fishing rivers destroyed / unable to fish (for trout and salmon)/ fish die • crops/farms/farmland destroyed/ suffocated/covered in ash/ burnt • houses/businesses/settlement/buildings flooded/destroyed/ people made homeless • people/livestock killed/ respiratory problems/poor health/diseases due to gases/ash/lahars/contamination/ flooding /polluted water/ landsliding

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