Table 1 shows annual measurements from a monitored stretch of cliff beside a hot desert coast. Although rainfall is low, rare intense storms send water over...

Assessment: Geography 9230 | Paper 1 Mock 01 | Written Paper 1 Subject: Geography - 9230

Question 1 Report

9230-p1-coast-desert-cliff-rockfall-13

Table 1 shows annual measurements from a monitored stretch of cliff beside a hot desert coast. Although rainfall is low, rare intense storms send water over the cliff edge. Fig. 1 shows cracks, a dry gully and a pile of fallen debris at the cliff foot. The study team is assessing whether a footpath should be moved inland.

YearCliff-edge retreat (m)Number of recorded rockfallsRainfall on wettest day (mm)
20220.18312
20230.46941
20240.27519

(a) Which year had the greatest cliff-edge retreat? [1]
(b) Draw arrows on a sketch to show how water entering cracks can trigger a rockfall. [2]
(c) Outline why moving the footpath inland may be safer than leaving it beside the cliff edge. [3]

Answer Details

(a) 2023 [1] (b) Award [1] for arrows showing water moving into cracks from surface; [1] for widened crack and detached block falling downslope (c) Retreat and rockfalls make the present route unstable [1]; moving it increases distance from the collapsing edge [1]; this reduces risk to walkers / need for emergency closure [1]

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