How do the earthquakes in New Zealand and

Nepal compare?
What comparisons can we make?

Geographical location
Tectonic location
Cause
Effects
Responses
 A
 Geographical B
location
 Tectonic location

 Description of cause
Primary and
secondary effects

Immediate and
long term
responses

D
 How do the earthquakes in New Zealand and Nepal compare?
New Zealand Nepal
Geographical
location

Tectonic
location

Cause

Primary
Effects
(2)

Secondary
Effects
(2)

Immediate
Responses
(2)

Long Term
Responses
(2)
Exam technique-Possible exam questions where comparison is the skill (8marks)
 Compare the immediate and
long term responses to Level Foundation Higher Description/ Quality of written
marks marks Explanation communication
earthquakes in rich and poor
parts of the world 0 0 Responses not sufficient to reach level 1

0
Success Criteria
 Name and locate the examples 1 mark 1-2 Gives basic, generic Communication is

Basic
marks descriptive or weak unclear
 Compare x2 immediate

1
explanation points
responses
 Compare x2 long term responses 2-3 3-5 Case study is named Communication is
marks marks but is not integrated. fairly clear and
Gives basic, generic information is

Clear
2
Similarities:- descriptive and/or communicated by
What connectives can we
use to show comparison?

• Also explanation points brief statements.

There is some
• Similarly accuracy of spelling.
4-6 6-8 Appropriate case Communication is
Differences:-
marks marks study is named, articulate. Effective
• Compared to located and use of geographical
Detailed
• In contrast to incorporated terms. There is
3

• On the other hand effectively. clear accuracy of

• Whereas Description/explanati spelling, punctuation
on is specific and and grammar.
• However accurate
 Green pen improvement points
VF1=which mountain range does
Nepal sit in the foothills of?
VF2=Which type of plate boundary
or name the tectonic plates involved.
VF3=Use time more effectively-this
needs completing please.
VF4= Improve literacy-spellings;
capitals; paragraphs.
VF5=Write the question as the title
VF6= Develop your description of
cause.
VF7=To compare you need to look at
the same factor e.g. number of
deaths against number of deaths.
VF8=Look at the structure of your
work-you have not used the success
criteria
To finish-stick things in
Underline titles!!!
Model answer
I have studied the 2015 earthquake in Kathmandu, Nepal
and the 2011 earthquake in Christchurch New Zealand.
The LEDC country of Nepal sits in the foothills of the Asian
Himalayas at the destructive collision zone of the Eurasian
and Indo – Australian plates. The MEDC of New Zealand, in
the continent of Oceania off the SE coast of Australia,
differs from this as it sits on a conservative plate margin as
the Pacific and Philippine plate move side by side. The
similarity between these 2 earthquakes lies in the fact that
it is plate movement that generated the friction that
caused the earthquake.
One primary effect of the earthquakes was loss of life. In
New Zealand 181 People lost their life in contrast to Nepal
where the death toll was over 8500. Another primary
effect if the destruction of infrastructure. In New
Zealand many city centre buildings were severely damaged
with the cathedral losing its central spire. However, in
Nepal over half the countries public and private schools
were damaged (16,000).