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Year 10
Edexcel B

Primary and secondary effects and responses to tectonic hazards

I can explain the difference between primary and secondary effects of a tectonic hazard, and between immediate and long-term responses to a tectonic hazard.

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New
New
Year 10
Edexcel B

Primary and secondary effects and responses to tectonic hazards

I can explain the difference between primary and secondary effects of a tectonic hazard, and between immediate and long-term responses to a tectonic hazard.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Earthquakes have primary and secondary effects (impacts).
  2. There are short-term (immediate) and long-term responses to earthquakes.
  3. Volcanic eruptions have primary and secondary effects (impacts).
  4. There are short-term (immediate) and long-term responses to volcanic eruptions.

Keywords

  • Primary effect - impacts that occur instantly and as a direct result of the earthquake or volcanic eruption

  • Secondary effect - impacts that follow as a consequence of the earthquake or volcanic eruption in the hours, days and weeks that follow

  • Immediate response - action taken during and immediately after a hazard event that focuses on surviving the hazard and providing short-term relief

  • Long-term response - action that focuses on rebuilding after the tectonic hazard and reducing risks from future hazards

Common misconception

Primary effects always cause the most damage.

Sometimes it is the secondary effects of a hazard that cause the most destruction, for example mudslides following a volcanic eruption.


To help you plan your year 10 geography lesson on: Primary and secondary effects and responses to tectonic hazards, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

The first two parts of this lesson are suitable for both AQA and Edexcel B specifications, while the third part is AQA-specific.
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Adult supervision required

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This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
What is the point inside the Earth where an earthquake starts?
Epicentre
Crater
Correct answer: Focus
Fault line
Q2.
Which type of plate margin causes earthquakes but not volcanoes?
Destructive
Constructive
Correct answer: Conservative
Collision
Q3.
What is the Earth's outer layer called?
Mantle
Correct answer: Crust
Core
Q4.
What is subduction?
Plates sliding past each other
Lava cooling and hardening
Correct answer: Oceanic plate sinking beneath continental plate
Earth’s crust breaking apart
Q5.
Which scale measures earthquake magnitude?
Correct answer: Richter scale
Mercalli scale
Seismic scale
Tornado scale
Q6.
What type of boundary created the Mid-Atlantic Ridge?
Destructive
Collision
Conservative
Correct answer: Constructive

4 Questions

Q1.
What are primary effects of tectonic hazards?
The long-term environmental changes after the hazard
Correct answer: The immediate impacts caused directly by the hazard event
The economic consequences over time
The recovery actions taken by governments
Q2.
Which of the following is an example of a secondary effect of a volcanic eruption?
Ground shaking
Lava flow damage
Correct answer: Ash clouds disrupting air travel
The formation of a crater
Q3.
Why is a tsunami considered a secondary effect of an earthquake?
Correct answer: It is caused by underwater earthquakes displacing water
The earthquake directly generates giant ocean waves
The earthquake increases ocean temperature, creating waves
It happens at the same time as the earthquake
Q4.
How does preparation help reduce the impact of tectonic hazards?
It ensures no damage will occur
Correct answer: It helps people evacuate quickly and provides resources for relief
It prevents the hazard from occurring
It speeds up long-term recovery