Haiti earthquake caused by a 'new fault'

The January earthquake in Haiti which claimed more than 200000 lives and left over 1.5 million homeless was caused by a previously unknown fault line, scientists have reported. (BBC Report)

Largest tidal turbine in the world unveiled

The AK-1000 is 22.5m tall and is believed to be the largest tidal turbine in the world. (BBC Report)

Natural Hazards continue to cause havoc in Asia

There has been continued flooding in Pakistan and more than 700 people have now been confirmed dead as a result from the massive landslide in China.

The Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari returned home to anger as 1500 people have been confirmed dead and 13.8 million people badly affected.

Meanwhile, in China a further 1000 people are still missing along with 700 confirmed dead as a landslide destroyed buildings and buried people. Rescuers are searching by hand in very remote areas. BBC Report and Video.

China landslide kills dozens

A huge landslide in China has killed at least 127 people in the Gansu province. (BBC Report)

Pakistan Floods

Floods hit Pakistan

Food Shortage Report

Major flooding has occurred in Pakistan killing over 1400 people. The army is struggling to get aid to people cut-off by the flooding as Monsoon rains continue in South Asia (BBC Report)

Weather in the news...

From floods in Pakistan and on the Three Gorges Dam, the hottest ever day in Russia or Peru's big freeze the weather continues to make the news (link).

Hosepipe ban for NW England

A hosepipe ban is in place in North West England for the first time in 14 years (see bbc report).

6 down...

1 to go!

The end of the exam season is upon us as there is only 1 examination left: Year 13 on Tuesday F764 (Skills). There have been 6 geography exams so far in years 10, 11, 12 and 13 and the geography department would like to wish all students the best of luck! If you have finished see you in August for results day!

New Satellite to create 3D map of the globe

A new TanDEM-X satellite has been launched into space. Mission: get the most precise 3D image of the earth's surface (bbc report)

The images will have many uses, such as helping the military's low flying aircraft and to show the worst affected areas by earthquake damage.

South African Biomes

Perhaps you could include the 2010 FIFA World Cup in your presentation (BBC Website)?

The football competition starts to day and once again England will be taking part. Maybe you could include a trip to the tournament as part of your presentation o biomes.

The following websites should help you:

World Cup Venue Cities

South Africa Biome map

Kalahari 1

kalahari 2

South Africa Destinations

Brazil Facts

Facts and Figures including maps on wealth (above), family support and population and a graph to show GDP growth. This is an excellent resource provided by the BBC.

Year 8 Biomes Powerpoint

The task is to describe an incredible journey that crosses two of the world's major biomes. Your story must be in the form of a series of diary entries and include the following:

1. Coverage of two of the world's major biomes: rainforest. desert, savanna, alpine forest, tundra...

2. Maps to show where you went

3. Descriptions of what you found, including pictures

4. Facts and Figures

5. Information about the types of plants and animals

6. Ways which the plants and animals have adapted

7. The Climate

Goodbye Year 13

Oil Spill Latest: BP underestimated effects

It's all going on....

Well the exam season is well and truly upon us in what is the busiest part of the year for the department (hence the lack of new posts recently!) The year 12 students have completed their exams with the physical re-sit last Friday and the Human paper on Tuesday. I am quite pleased with the two exams, especially F762 which was straight forward and hopefully pupils should do well overall. The physical paper threw a few surprises, particularly the essays which were 'very physical' in contrast to the previous exams.

However, for Years 10 and 11 the big exams are still ahead of us:

Monday 14th June Year 11 Paper 1, Year 10 Physical Paper.

Thursday 17th June Year 11 Paper 2

We say goodbye to year 11 on Thursday, but year 10 are reminded that revision sessions continue after school on a Wednesday. This week Mr Barber will take the session on Rivers in U35 from 3.10pm. Bring your revision books.

To cheer you up I have posted a video about FC United...happy days!! It's not geographical but it is History in the making (wink)

Tornado kills 5 in Oklahoma

Five people are reported to have been killed in the US state of Oklahoma after several tornadoes ripped through the Southern Plains region.
Hundreds of homes and businesses were destroyed and some highways were shut down because of wrecked cars and trucks.

BBC report with video

KHS History blog

Ok, so we may not like them, but the Historians have eventually got round to making a blog and if you study history it may be an idea to have a look. Don't expect much
The website: knutsfordhighschoolhistory blog

BP tries to clean-up oil slick

more to follow...

Revision this week

This week will see the start of Year 10 revision, and an end to the Year 11 sessions. PAN will take a year 10 revision session on Plate Tectonics in U34, and MKT will be finishing off the Year 11 Map Skills topics in U35.
Next week the Year 12 sessions will start on a Tuesday and a Thursday from 3.05 until 4.00. looking at Energy, Tourism and Rural Change. Can't wait!

US Oil Slick threat to the Environment

An explosion on an Oil rig of the coast of the South East USA has caused a 'state of emergency' due to the potential threat to the environment from the resulting oil slick. This is an example of how the socio-economic gains from the exploitation of fossil fuels can have a potentially devastating effect on the wildlife and environment. It is estimated that 5,000 barrels per day of oil are leaking from the rig, and even though efforts have been made to try and mitigate the effects, US politicians and environmentalists fear the worst.

Parts of the slick have been set on fire, and British Petroleum (BP) who owns the rig have used boats and inflatable booms to try and collect the 3 mile long slick.

Icelandic Volcanoes

Rural Population Change

Use the 2001 census information to study rural change around Oxford.

Census website

Change can be growth (especially in the Urban Fringe) or decline when transport links are lacking.

Look for: Population change

Age-sex structure changes

Employment rates

You will need to compare this information, using a table with the 1991 and 1981 figures.

Volcano chaos continues...

Volcano continues to disrupt Europe air travel

Volcanic eruption halts all UK flights

A Volcano has erupted in Iceland, and has led to all flights in and out of the UK being cancelled until 18.00 GMT. The eruption has led to an enormous amount of ash entering into the atmosphere that can be potentially hazardous to aircrafts. Experts have warned that tiny particles of rock, glass and sand contained in Volcanic ash can be hazardous to aircrafts.

BBC report

Climatic Hazards: UK Snow 2010

BBC Report on the snow for the winter of 2009/10.

Year 8 Bangladesh Flood Report

The task is to produce a detailed newspaper report on 'flooding' in the South Asian country of Bangladesh.

In your report you MUST include the following sections:

1. The Location of Bangladesh: Where is Bangladesh? What rivers flow through Bangladesh?
2. The Causes of the Flood: What are the Human causes? What are the physical causes?
3. The Impacts of the Flood: How many people died? What was damaged? How did the flood affect the people?
4. The Response to the Flood: What did the people do? What did the government do? How did other countries help?

Also, you must include at least one diagram or picture in your report.

Use the textbook, pages 76-81 and why not try searching this blog. There are a number of pupil videos explaining the flooding and even some A-Level information!

F762 Energy: UK Nuclear Power

Here is the BBC link for the article that you were given on the UK's move to increase its use of Nuclear Energy. This can be used on two types of questions:
1. On a question asking how demand for energy is being met
2. On a question about sustainability between demand and the environment

Mapping Data

Year 13, I stumbled upon this website which provides a database full of statistics and data that can be mapped. The link is here. The site is called 'Map mechanics' and has data on all parts of the world, not just the UK. It is designed to help businesses choose locations for there stores as it provides basic information on the socio-economic make-up of areas. It also includes census data.

Llandudno Coursework Help

Click on the above mind-map to enlarge it. It shows all the sections in the LLandudno coursework.

Year 11Revision

This wednesday (24/03) it is Settlement:LEDC with MKT. Bring the yellow revision sheet that you were given last week.

Y13 Census Data

Here is the link for 2001 Census data. I have selected the 'Neighbourhood Search'. You can select any statistics that you think are relevant and compare different wards.

Website link

If you click on 'Map this data' then a choropleth map is produced for the borough, e.g Manchester, Trafford etc. You can then create graphs and charts for comparison by clicking on the tabs at teh top.

Y11 Revision: Settlement MEDC

Above is the mind-map from the Settlement revision session on Wednesday 17/03. Click on it for an enlarged version. Next week we will be looking at Settlement issues in LEDC's.

Coasts: The Green Bridge of Wales

The fantastic picture above is a famous natural arch in Pembrokeshire, South Wales. It is known as the Green Bridge of Wales and was formed through erosion of the cliff face by destructive waves. The photo shows all the features that you would be expected to label in a fieldsketch; an arch, stack, stumps, wave-cut notch and wave-cut platform.

The video shows the waves crashing against the cliff. The processes of erosion such as Hydraulic Action and Abrasion have helped to create the features. Hydraulic Action is when the waves get into cracks in the cliff, compressing the air and creating tiny explosions, weakening and eroding the rock. Abrasion uses any small pieces of rock and crashes them against the cliff, and is a powerful form of erosion.

Year 11 Revision: Plate tectonics

This week it is Tectonics taken by PAN on Wednesday 10th March in U34.

Tornado tears through Oklahoma

As I predicted, a Tornado has torn through Hammond in Oklahoma destroying buildings and tearing down power lines.

No injuries were reported, but roofs were seen to be torn from buildings sending debris flying in the air.


Tornadoes are formed when 'supercell' thunderstorms occur, usually when a cold front is created by intense low pressure and when an area of warm air moves into an area. This video (click) by storm chaser Bryan Barnes explains the formation.

Tornado tears tghrough Oklahoma

Y12 Energy and Development: The UK

This video describes the current 'energy mix' of the UK (click on it to play):

8.8. Earthquake hits Chile

Tracking Hurricanes

There are no atmospheric conditions that guarantee the formation of a hurricane, however once they are formed satellites can track the path of the hurricane, providing warning for people living in a hurricanes path.

The National Hurricane Centre in Miami (website) uses satellite images to try and forecast the path of a hurricane. There are two types of satellites used:

-Geostationary: a satellite that remains over the same spot on the earth's surface

-Polar-Orbiting: satellites that pass over the earth from pole to pole

The satellites measure visible light that is naked to the human eye and shows the formation of clouds. This method is only able to work in daylight as it measures the reflected sunlight.

Infrared meters are also used, and they measure temperature of the cloud or the earth's surface. These images are available even when there is no daylight.

Reinforced aircrafts fitted with instruments fly through and over hurricanes, and weather radars can locate storms within 200 miles of the radar station.

Formation of Hurricanes

Bangladesh Flooding: The Causes

Exclusive: KHS is throwing energy away!!

Grace and Rachel report on the shame of KHS...specialist school?...specialist in wasting energy!

Global Oil Reserves

Short video (from the lesson) on Global Oil Reserves.

Proved Oil Reserves- Definition: quantities of oil that geological and engineering information indicates with reasonable certainty can be recovered in the future from known reservoirs under existing economic and operating conditions

Song for Haiti

The REM classic 'Everybody Hurts' recorded by a range of stars to raise money for the victims of the Haiti earthquake

It's not just the UK with lots of snow!!!

The Eastern USA has been hit with up to 2 feet (60cm) of snow, the most for decades. This has stopped all air and road transport, and brought Washington DC to a standstill.

Energy: UK 'could face power shortages'

The BBC reports (click here) that the UK could face shortages in power in the years ahead and that consumers may find the prices too expensive.

Ofgem says the the industry need £200bn of investment but believe that energy companies would need incentives to invest that kind of money.

Ofgem reports that energy companies should be required to deliver more generation capacity and gas storage. They also suggest the formation of centralised market control.

Brazil gets planning permission for 3rd biggest dam in the world!

The Brazilian government has given an environmental license for the one of the worlds biggest hydro-electric dams in the Amazon rainforest (click here for link).

The dam will be built at Belo Monte on the Xingu river, a tributary of the Amazon. Environmentalists fear that the dam will cause devestation to the rainforest, affecting 40,000 people through flooding, damage fish stocks and also threaten the survival of indigenous people (see photo).

The initial project has always faced stiff opposition, and was abandoned in the 1990's. The Brazilian government has said that the new plan has been modified in order to appease the environmental concerns. The winning bidder who gets permission to build the dam will have to pay millions of pounds in compensation to protect the environment.

The new dam will create enough electricity to power 23 million homes, and help meet the demand of the growing Brazilian economy. The dam will be the 3rd biggest in the world, behind the Three Gorges Dam in China and the Itaipu Dam jointly owned by Brazil and Paraguay.

The new dam will continue to cause conflicts between environmentalists and politicians, as well as provide us geographers with a nice case-study!! Naturally we hope that it doesn't go ahead...

Energy: BP profits hit by lower oil prices

The oil giant BP has reported reduced profits due to a decrease in world oil prices (click here for bbc news report).

Its replacement cost profit (see table for definitions) fell from $25.59bn in 2008 to $13.96bn in 2009.

However, the company reported that its oil and gas production increased by 4% and its reserves had grown for a 17th successive year

REPLACEMENT COST PROFIT Replacement cost profit is the reporting measure typically used by oil companies and reflects the current cost of supplies The measure strips out gains or losses related to any changes in the value of the firm's stock of fuel products

A-Level Work Monday 1st February: PAN

Year 12 (Period 1)

In the 6th form ICT room, produce a case-study report on the energy use of a country of your choice.

You MUST state which country you are researching on the VLE (click here) as only 1 person can choose each country.

In your report include:

-a summary of the types of energy used

-facts and figures

-examples of types of energy use (both renewable and non-renewable)

-future trends

This is due in on Thursday 4th February along with your other report.

Year 13 (period 2)

In the 6th from ICT room make case-study notes on the Volcanoes that we have been studying.

Include notes on the location, facts and figures, causes, type of volcano, impacts/ effects (both socio-economic and environmental) and responses. The volcanoes are:

Mt St Helens/ Pinatubo, Unzen, Montserrat,

Girl pulled from Haiti rubble 15 days after the Earthquake

Report and Video A teenage girl has been rescued from the rubble an amazing 15 days after the Haiti Earthquake. She was pulled out be a French rescue team to chanting and clapping by gathered crowds. Rescuers said that she survived by drinking water from a bath!

List of survivors:

Darlene Etienne, 16 - rescued after 15 days

Rico Dibrivell, early 30s - rescued after 12 days

Wismond Exantus, 24, found after 11 days

Emmannuel Buso, 21 - rescued after 10 days

Marie Carida, 84 - saved after 10 days

Mendji Bahina Sanon, 11 - trapped for eight days

Lozama Hotteline, 25 - pulled out after seven days

Elisabeth Joassaint, 15 days - buried for seven days, half her life

Ena Zizi, 69 - rescued after seven days

Year 9 Plate Tectonics: The type of plate margins...

Haiti Earthquake Latest

This is Haiti a week after the 7.0 earthquake.

The rescue teams are returning home and more aid is arriving.

The looting has continued as the population has become even more desperate.

Thousands of people have been left homeless and many without

food and water.

F762 The Energy Issue Overview:

The OCR Syllabus has provided the following information to use as a guide for the topic:

-All Major energy company websites (Shell, Esso etc)

-Major Newspapers (Guardian Unlimited) (Times Online)

-BBC

-DTI (Department for Trade and Industry)

-The Carbon Trust

-The Energy Saving Trust

-www.developments.org.uk (DFID)

6.2 Aftershock shakes Haiti

The BBC Reports that a 6.2 Magnitude earthquake has hit Haiti, only a week after the 7.0 magnitude 'quake caused devestation on the Island. More news to follow...

Boscastle Flood 2004

This amazing flash flood footage is from Boscastle, Cornwall in 2004. 1 months worth of rainfall fell in only 2 hours triggering a FLASH FLOOD. The impermeable soil around Boscastle, combined with steep slopes surrounding the village created a very rapid lag-time as the rainfall entered the river almost immediately once the soils were saturated. This footage shows the speed of the flood.

Coastal Erosion

Coastal erosion is similar to river erosion as there are 4 ways that the waves erode the coast: Hydraulic Action, Abrasion, Attrition and Solution (see above).

The rate of Coastal erosion depends upon a number of factors relating to the rock. Some rocks are more resistant and are not eroded as quickly, such as granite in Cornwall, whereas softer rocks such as boulder clay on the Holderness coast can be eroded rapidly. Also, the structure of the rock is important as rocks which have natural weaknesses along faults, joints or bedding planes will be eroded quicker than rocks which are just massive blocks.

UK 2007 floods cost the economy £3.2 Billion

The (BBC Reports) that the Environment Agency states that the 2007 UK floods cost the economy an astonishing £3.2 billion.

It also calculates that investment in flood defences will need to almost double, to £1bn a year, to protect properties in the future.

48, 000 homes were affected, each costing between £20,000 and £30,000 to repair. The cost for flooded businesses varied between £75,000 and £112,000. Farmers lost an average of £1,150 per hectare of land flooded, whilst the damage to infrastructure such as roads and power supplies was put at £660 million.

The high costs of flooding underline the importance for continued investment in reducing flood risk Robert Runcie, Environment Agency

Theory of Plate Tectonics

http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/3059.bb.wmv

Haiti Earthquake 2010

The damage in Haiti has been described as 'Apocalyptic' as the vast majority of buildings have been destroyed in the near the epicentre to the west of the capital Port-au-Prince.



Why did it happen? The video below explains the plate tectonics...



The world responds...As a result of the chaos and desperation being felt by people, looting has become a problem as people search for food and water as well as taking advantage of goods left unguarded after shops collapsed in the capital during the quake. Yesterday saw reports of a violent mob of up to 1000 people looting premises, taking anything they could carry away.



Here an American helicopter is seen dropping aid into a crowd of desperate people...

J.Briggs on the Algerian Earthquake 2003

Mr Briggs delivers another geographical masterclass...

Amy Kelsall...

has found this website (s-cool) and would like to share it with you all...she thinks the diagrams are better than the ones I use!!

Look at these ox-bow lakes..do you honestly think they are better (click here). OK they probably are...very good explanations of transportation...

Period 4 10PAN

Task: Produce a Powerpoint on the features of the Lower Course of a river

Include:

• Diagrams/photos of each feature
• Brief descriptions of each feature
• An explanation of the features
• A description of the channel (shape, flow etc)

Some Links:

geo-resources

sln

geo-bytes blog

bitesize

A2 F763 Earthquake Presentations

Task: Earthquake Assessment

Use the links below to produce a 5 minute powerpoint presentation on earthquakes in LEDC's.

You will have 2 lessons to produce this and it will form your third assessment. You will be assessed on the following:

AO1: Knowledge and Understanding (how much detailed knowledge you show) 13 marks

AO2: Application (how well you use this info to answer the question) 5 marks

A03: Structure and Conclusions 7 marks

Think about the type of essay that you will be set: Evaluate...

The powerpoint must be supported by case-study notes. These may take the form of bullet-point notes or written in essay form.

1. Brainstorm the aspects of earthquakes that you need to study/ research

2. Post on the VLE your choice of earthquake

3. Prepare a powerpoint

4. Prepare a case-study sheet

The links are here (post from 30th November including specification detail)

Due by: Friday 15th January Period 5

Snow Images from a closed to pupils KHS

Year 12 Geography MKT

Firstly, do not panic. There is plenty of work that you can be getting on with at home. We will complete cold environments and the ways of managing cold environments next week.

Over the next few days I would suggest that you obviously continue to revise the 'coasts' unit but with specific reference to your case study examples.

The disc from the text book contains extended information from particular websites about; St Lucia, Southampton, The Mediterranean and Brazil-Rio de Janeiro. My advice is to work through the case studies e.g. learn facts/figures, understand who manages the area e.g. The SMMA in St Lucia and most importantly you need to say how it has been managed and has it been a success.

Human activities/conflicts= Brazil and Southampton (multi-use coastal areas). Extend notes from disc.
Management and impacts= St Lucia (has been a success- why?), The Mediterranean (management plans have been set up e.g. MAP but the area is under severe pressure due to the size of the area) and you could also use Pevensey for management e.g. the shoreline management plan and DEFRA.

I hope this helps, the activities on the disc are from 2.8 to 2.11. (Use them they will help!)

Best of luck, don't hesitate in emailing me if you have any problems/questions or use the forum on the VLE.

Year 11 Work

Pupils in all 4 classes (11PAN, 11CST, 11MKT and 11PAN SC) should continue to work on sections A-D on your coursework.

Section A: Introduction and Urban Models

Section B: Methodology

Section C: Data Presentation (Graphs etc)

Section D: Analysis and Conclusion: did your data support your hypothesis?

11PAN have a deadline of Friday 15th january.

Year 12 F761 PAN work

Topic: Cold Environments (how appropriate)

The only mini-topics that we have not covered are 'Periglacial features' (patterned ground, Pingos and Ice Wedges) on pages 108/9 and 'Relict Features' (Dry Valleys, Misfit streams, Scree slopes and Loess) on pages 109/110.

We will cover these topics in one of the 3 lessons next week, but must should read up and make notes on them all.

In terms of revision concentrate on the sections that were covered in the 'Rivers' revision sessions. The topics are:

• Mass Movements
• Types of Erosion and Weathering
• Erosional features (Upper Course mainly)
• Transportation and factors influencing erosion and deposition
• Depositional Features (Middle and Lower Course)
• Human Activities in River Basins
• Managing River Basins

If you scroll down the blog you will find information such as mind maps from the revision sessions and examples of features and floods. Use the search function as well.

USE THE VLE FORUM OR E-MAIL FOR ANY PROBLEMS

Year 7, 8 and 9 Geography work

This is the research project work for ALL Years 7, 8 and 9 Geography students:

Use the websites below to produce a DESCRIPTION of the recent extreme weather, and then try and EXPLAIN why it has been so cold. Use photographs, facts, maps, diagrams and anything else that you can think of. Try and compare this cold period to other winters.

Do it like this:

Section A: Describe the weather over the last few weeks

Section B: Explain why the weather has been so cold.

Websites:(click on link)

BBC Weather

Met Office- excellent explanation

Metcheck

Use google to search 'UK Cold Weather' and you will find lots of information.

OCR AS Specification

The AS specification can be found on the list of websites (The good guys) on the right hand side. There are all the past papers and mark schemes. As school is closed again on Thursday we will use this blog to keep you all updated on what you should be doing. We have completed about 95% of the course content, so do not panic and get revising!!

School Closure

Yes it is true, the school has actually closed due to heavy snow. As a result Year 12 (and Year 13 students doing re-sits) should be well onto revising by now, and should be concentrating on learning facts and figures for the major case-studies. If anyone is unsure of what to revise, then please use the VLE (link on the right of this page) and post any questions/ queries on the 'Ask Briggs forum'.

Also, feel free to e-mail myself or MKT on:

pan@knutsfordhs.cheshire.sch.uk and mkt@knutsfordhs.cheshire.sch.uk

Enjoy!

(Above is a picture of U34/5 Out-of Action yesterday (05/01/10)