Year 8 Revision Booklet

The …………………. …………….. is an organisation of European countries. It has

……… members including ………………………, ………………………………….,

………………………….., ………………………….., ……………………………..

Some members have a single currency called the ………………………. but the

……………………………………..has not joined.

European Union

Complete the cloze exercise using the words in the box below. Then learn the paragraph.

27 Euro United Kingdom Germany

France European Union Poland Spain

United Kingdom 72 Pound USA

EuropeUse an atlas or the internet to write the names of 20 countries, 6 capital cities and 6 physical features (e.g. rivers, mountains, seas or oceans) on the map below. Learn the location of all of these.

Plate Tectonics

In the exam you will have 8 questions on plate tectonics. Learn the information below to help you answer the questions in the exam.

Structure of the earth

Plate tectonics

Fill in the blanks and learn.

The earth’s…………………. …. is made up of ………………called ………………

These float like rafts on the ………………………and can move a few

………………………every year. On the surface of the earth there is a lot of tension

because the plates are …………………………….. but volcanoes and

………………………. occur at the……………………………of plates.

Rock Plates Edges Earthquakes

Crust Mantle Moving Centimetres

Continental driftContinental drift is caused by the movement of the tectonic plates which have caused the continents to move and change shape over millions of years. There are two pieces of evidence that suggest that the continents are moving:1. The same layers of fossils and rocks can be found on the coastlines of continents

that used to be joined.2. Some of the continents looked like they once fitted together e.g. South America

and Africa.

Earthquakes

Earthquakes are caused by friction as a result of two plates moving past each other. The edges of the tectonic plates are not smooth, as they move past each other they get stuck, pressure builds up and eventually the plates dramatically slip past each other releasing waves of energy known as seismic waves. It is these seismic waves that cause an earthquake.• Fires can occur after an earthquake because broken power lines can collapse and

ignite. The fires often spread fast as emergency services are not able to respond as fast and may often not be able to get to the fire if there are lots of collapsed buildings blocking the roads.

• Earthquakes can also result in disease epidemics breaking out, the shaking can rupture drainage pipes causing sewage to flow in the streets and people may be unable to access medical care.

Volcanoes

Volcanoes form where magma from the mantle reaches the surface. Many people live near volcanoes even though they are dangerous, this is because:• Some volcanoes do not erupt for hundreds of years and therefore may not erupt in

their lifetime.• When a volcano erupt they give off many warning signs so there is a lot of warning

before people are evacuated.• People also live near volcanoes because they have fertile soils so lots of crops can

be grown.

Practice drawing a volcano and label its main features.

Draw a volcano in this box. (Try drawing it without looking at the diagram from the previous page).

Learn the different hazards (dangers) that come from a volcanic eruption.

Hazard Description

Lava Flow Molten rock flowing down the sides of a volcano. Hot basaltic lava from shield volcanoes flows quickly.

Lahars Mudflows, a mixture of ash and water from melted snow and ice, travel at great speed down the mountain, making evacuation difficult.

Dust and ash clouds Ash thrown high into the atmosphere shuts out the sun and, when it settles, can completely bury buildings and crops.

Lava bombs Large pieces of rock and ash are thrown into the air.

Pyroclastic flow Burning clouds of gas and ash, with temperatures up to 1000°C, rush down the mountain, scorching everything in their paths.

Natural DisasterIn the exam you will need to write about a natural disaster of your choice.• Describe what happened where• Explain the causes• Describe the after effects and relief efforts

The following information will help you to write about the Boxing Day Tsunami, 2004. Use a highlighter to help you pick out the main things you need to learn.

Case study: Boxing Day Tsunami, 2004

On 26 December 2004 a tsunami occurred in the Indian Ocean. It was the result of the Indio-Australian Plate sub-ducting below the Eurasian Plate. It was caused by an earthquake measuring more than magnitude 9. The earthquake caused the seafloor to uplift, displacing the seawater above.

• In open ocean the tsunami measured less than 1 metre high.• The tsunami travelled at speeds up to 800km per hour.• When the Tsunami reached the shores, the height of the wave increased to 15

metres in some areas.

Map of Indian Ocean tsunami, 2004

What causes a tsunami?

When an earthquake, volcano or landslide happens on the ocean floor, water is displaces. This water forms the start of the tsunami.When the waves reach shallower water:• Their height can increase by several metres• the shallow water slows the wave• And the waves get closer together

It is hard to see that a tsunami is approaching. The most obvious sign is the coastal water retreats just before the waves reach the shore. This is actually the trough of the wave following behind.

Main impacts• A quarter of a million people died.• Two million people were made homeless.• People were swept away in the waters, which arrived rapidly and with little warning.• Thirteen countries were affected, the worst being Indonesia.• Indonesia was hit by the tsunami first. Fourty-five minutes later the tsunami reached

Thailand.• Mangrove swamps helped to act as a barrier to reduce the energy of the water in some

areas.• Short-term aid, such as water purification tablets, temporary housing and medical

supplies were given from international countries.• Islands reliant on tourism and fishing, such as the Maldives, had to rebuild their

industries.• An early warning system between countries surrounding the Indian Ocean has been set

up.

Practice writing about your chosen natural disaster.

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Compete the weather key words and learn

Weather – Key words

1. Instrument for measuring temperature______________________________________

2. Instrument for measuring rainfall__________________________________________

3. Unit which measures temperature_________________________________________

4. Instrument for measuring wind speed______________________________________

5. The weather in a small area______________________________________________

6. When vapour changes to water___________________________________________

7. Another name for weather_______________________________________________

8. Pressure which brings fine, sunny weather__________________________________

9. Day to day conditions of atmosphere_______________________________________

10.The expected weather__________________________________________________

11. Strong winds which cause damage________________________________________

12.Line on a map which shows pressure______________________________________

13. Instrument used for measuring pressure____________________________________

14.Cumulus is an example of a______________________________________________

Cloud Weather Barometer Isobar

Low air pressure High air pressure Condensation Climate

Meteorology Evaporation Microclimate anemometer

Rain gauge thermometer

Today’s weather

Write a paragraph to describe the weather over the past 24 hours.

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National Parks

Learn the location of the National Parks in England and Wales. Use the map below.

Managing a National ParkMatch the problem with the correct solution

Temperature Air pressure Rainfall Cloud cover Wind

Problem

Traffic congestion

Damage to nesting areas

Footpath erosion

People getting lost

Solution

No go areas

Park and ride (bus)

Better signs

Alternative routes