GCSE Geography Case Studies (AQA)

For Tectonic Activity I also have an Earthquake in MEDC [Kobe, Japan]
and a Volcanic Eruption in an LEDC [Monserrat, Caribbean]

Reply 3

cyborg

I do Coasts and Plate Tectonics (as well as Rocks+Landscapes). This is what we have for case studies:

Coasts

1.) Case study of coastal management
2.) Case study of a spit
3.) Case study of caves, arches, stacks and stumps
4.) Case study of impact of tourism on the coastline

Plate Tectonics

1.) Earthquake in an LEDC
2.) MEDC Earthquake
3.) MEDC Volcano
4.) LEDC Volcano
5.) Case studies for what landforms are formed at different plate boundaries.

Reply 4

I've never really understood this huge emphasis on case studies.
Surely you just learn most of the content as a general rule and then apply that to a certain area. E.g. effects of tourism on coastal areas is learnt and then you just pick out an example of a coastal area you know had problems and mention that.
Does everyone on here try to revise specific figures and numbers etc?
Is this really necessary - most of what I learnt was not in the context of case studies and most of the exam questions don't ask about a specific case study, one or two maybe but I've seen truly ridiculous numbers of case studies learnt by some people on here.

How much emphasis have your teachers/lessons placed on case studies?

Reply 5

cyborg

Our teachers have placed loads of emphasis on case studies - as they say that it makes it easier to get Level 3 answers all the time. As for facts and figures, only the key figures are required eg. Kobe earthquake was 7.2 on the Richter Scale.

Reply 6

You probably need a volcano in an LEDC. Use the Nevado del Ruiz volcano in Colombia, because it doubles up for an example of poverty affecting reaction to tectonic disasters - they didn't listen to government warnings, and as a result a lahar flattened the town of Armero. A little girl was trapped in the mud, called Almira, and she had a heart attack after 60 hours of being stuck because the pump, sent in by an MEDC, was broken. :frown:

Reply 7

electriic_ink

OP

15

cyborg

4.) Case study of impact of tourism on the coastline

Thank you. If you don't mind me asking, what place have you studied for this example? (ie XYZ Coast in Spain....)

Reply 8

jelly1000

21

Whoops, I did Blackpool for tourism. Holderness was for coastal erosion.

Reply 9

cyborg

electriic_ink

Thank you. If you don't mind me asking, what place have you studied for this example? (ie XYZ Coast in Spain....)

We have studied Bude in Cornwall. Although to be honest, if a question asks you to describe the impacts of tourism, you could just use any coastline and common sense.

Reply 10

electriic_ink

OP

15

cyborg

We have studied Bude in Cornwall. Although to be honest, if a question asks you to describe the impacts of tourism, you could just use any coastline and common sense.

Merci beaucoup

Reply 11

We've never done impacts of tourism on a coastline. What does it involve?

Reply 12

MangoTango

We've never done impacts of tourism on a coastline. What does it involve?

I think pretty much the same as tourism anywhere:
Problems = Litter; Pressure on some services; Erosion; Seasonal Employment; Second Homes + related problems; High prices for locals
Good Things = Multiplier effect; Money into community; Reason for coastal defences to be built.

Reply 13

Oh right! I thought it meant literal effects on the coastline, like families wielding pickaxes and saws :/ Though I suppose there could be some effect, like pollution = acid rain = rip rap gets dissolved quicker, or erosion of footpaths on the cliff.

Reply 14

MangoTango

Oh right! I thought it meant literal effects on the coastline, like families wielding pickaxes and saws :/ Though I suppose there could be some effect, like pollution = acid rain = rip rap gets dissolved quicker, or erosion of footpaths on the cliff.

Well, yes for the footpath erosion. I would not say acid rain as the pollution will not necessarily cause an effect in the local area but acts more generally.
Lol, I would love the write the pickaxe wielding families in an exam but would probably not recommend it.

Reply 15