Comparing the Impacts of Earthquakes in LEDC's & MEDC's - Assessed Project

Task:
You will produce your own case study / fact file for at least 2 different Earthquakes using the handouts and textbooks provided in the lesson, and from your own research using the internet and from your homework.

Please choose at least one Earthquake from a wealthy country (More Economically Developed Country – MEDC) and at least one Earthquake which occurred in a poorer country. (Less Economically Developed Country)

Resources:
  • What are Earthquakes? Are they Identical? (Gujarat Earthquake January 2001) Fact file – Class Handout

  • Deathly Outcomes Worksheet - Class Handout

  • The Earthquake Hazard (Kobe January 1995 Earthquake Case study) - Class Handout

  • Internet research – Websites such as http://www.bbc.co.uk/news to research your own Earthquake case studies and to get appropriate photos, images and diagrams to put in your project.

  • Homework – To continue your project at home.
How to write up your project (Structure):

1. Produce a fact file for at least two Earthquakes in your own words, just like the one on your handout of the Gujarat Earthquake.

You should present your earthquake case studies under the following headings:
a.) What happened and why?
b.) The effects on buildings and infrastructure. (Were buildings damaged/ destroyed? What were they made of? Do the materials used alter the level of damage? Why?)
c.) The effects on the countries economy (how much did it cost in damages etc.)
d.) The effects on the people (How many died? How many were injured? Why do you think that was?)
e.) The short and long term responses to the Earthquakes. (What happened straight after the Earthquake? Did other countries help? How did they help?)

2. Make a list of any key Geographical terms you have used in your project and write a brief description of what they mean. (Glossary)

3. Plot the location of your two case studies onto a blank world map.

4. Compare both of your Earthquake studies and describe which was the most devastating and explain why you think that is.
Note: By doing this, you can achieve a level 6, 7 or higher for your project.

Level Descriptions:
  • Level 4
    You can describe how each Earthquake occurred and the effects they have on people, the economy and on the built environment.

  • Level 5
    You can both describe and explain the effects of the Earthquakes on people, buildings and the economy and explain both the short term and long term responses to the Earthquakes.

  • Level 6 & 7
    (You can achieve the requirements for level 5) and you can also compare both your case studies, by explaining which Earthquake caused the most impacts, and justify with examples. why you think there may be different impacts which occur in a LEDC and a MEDC, when an Earthquake occurs.
    You use your own views and opinions to explain and justify your comparison.