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QUESTION 1 Identify the most likely reason for volcanoes being located down the western side of South America on the map. South America Pacific Ocean Atlantic Ocean Key A volcano ex plate boundary (A) two tectonic plates diverging resulting in exposing the asthenosphere (B) two tectonic plates colliding causing the Earth to crack along the continental coast (C) the heavier oceanic plate subducting under the lighter continental plate resulting in a volcanic arc forming along the continental coast (D) the continental plate cracking due to pressure and moving under the oceanic plate making the continent grow larger through the formation of volcanoes
QUESTION 4 Fossils of aquatic organisms containing higher-than-average levels of oxygen-18 isotopes indicate that the climate was once cooler than it is today because (A) oxygen-18 isotopes concentrate at lower temperatures. (B) oxygen-16 isotopes concentrate at lower temperatures. (C) oxygen-18 isotopes evaporate readily at lower temperatures. (D) oxygen-16 isotopes evaporate readily at lower temperatures.
QUESTION 5 Which of the following describes how a tsunami is formed? (A) (B) (C) (D) A series of large waves 1s produced at a divergent boundary. A slow build-up of pressure in the lithosphere results in the release of molten rock. Pressure 1s released when tectonic plates meet at a continental transform boundary. A disturbance in the Earth’s oceanic crust causes the release of a large amount of energy in the hydrosphere.
QUESTION 8 The table shows the effect of average maximum air temperatures during January on average crop yields for two varieties of two crops. January average Average crop yield (t/ha) ° Predict which variety of which crop is most likely to be productive and adapt to increasing average air temperature. (A) Crop X Variety | (B) Crop X Variety 2 (C) Crop Y Variety 1 (D) Crop Y Variety 2
QUESTION 11 This graph shows recorded Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) values for Australia from 2000 to 2018. 30 . j) AD. ay [M ayy “ao TTA! WP —20 —30 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 Year A survey of an area in eastern Australia showed that there was an increase in invasive plant species lower native vegetation cover shallow soil depth and signs of erosion. During which year was this survey most likely taken? (A) 2009 (B) 2011 (C) 2013 (D) 2016
QUESTION 16 (6 marks) a) Use Stimulus | in the stimulus book to identify which location flood mitigation efforts should be focused on. Justify your decision using three pieces of evidence from the stimulus. [4 marks] b) Identify a long-term flood mitigation strategy that could be implemented to decrease the flood risk at this location. Explain how this mitigation strategy would reduce the risk of flooding. [2 marks]
QUESTION 17 (5 marks) Explain how land clearing can influence climate change. Identify three subsequent impacts on Earth’s biosphere.
QUESTION 2 (5 marks) This question refers to Stimulus | in the stimulus book. a) Identify the climatic event that occurred between April 2010 and April 2011. Explain your reasoning. [2 marks] b) Identify and explain the cause of the pattern in the SOI values between April 2011 and January 2012. [3 marks]
QUESTION 3 A rift valley is formed by the interactions of (A) an oceanic plate subducting beneath a continental plate. (B) acontinental plate subducting beneath an oceanic plate. (C) two divergent continental plates. (D) two convergent oceanic plates.
QUESTION 15 Volcanic ejecta can affect global climate. Following a large-scale eruption sulfur dioxide aerosols 1n the atmosphere convert to sulfuric acid in the stratosphere. This results in (A) the Earth’s lower atmosphere cooling. (B) adecrease in reflection of solar radiation. (C) adecrease in atmospheric carbon dioxide. (D) the Earth’s atmosphere warming due to acid rain.
QUESTION 16 (11 marks) a) b) c) Explain two characteristics of a tropical cyclone that are observable using meteorological data. Determine which of the national parks in Stimulus 1 was the location of Dataset | in Stimulus 3. Provide evidence from Stimulus 1 2 and 3 to support your response. Predict which species is likely to quickly return to pre-cyclone numbers. Justify your response by contrasting two species using data from Stimulus 3. [4 marks] [4 marks] [3 marks]
QUESTION 17 (5 marks) a) b) Identify which years on the Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) graph in Stimulus 4 in the stimulus book represent the climatic conditions at X from Stimulus 5 in the stimulus book. Justify your response using evidence from the graph. Identify which years in Stimulus 4 were likely to have the largest recharge of natural river systems in the location marked by X in Stimulus 5. Explain your reasoning. [3 marks] [2 marks]
QUESTION 18 (3 marks) During periods in the geological timeline marine shells containing high levels of 80 isotope became fossilised. Use Stimulus 6 in the stimulus book to draw a conclusion about the average annual air temperature when fossilisation occurred. Provide two pieces of evidence to justify your conclusion.
QUESTION 22 (7 marks) Explain how clearing a mangrove ecosystem would affect the net contribution of greenhouse gases for the area being cleared. In your response identify gas exchanges in plants and soil substrates.
QUESTION 23 (6 marks) A new city is being built in an area prone to earthquakes and tsunamis. Consider potential Earth hazards at this location and identify three mitigation strategies. Provide an explanation to support each strategy.
QUESTION 5 (10 marks) a) b) Use Stimulus 3 and 4 in the stimulus book to infer the impacts that changes in climatic conditions will have on crop productivity for Site A and Site B. Justify each inference with one piece of evidence from each stimulus. For each site propose a strategy that could be used to protect or enhance agricultural production. Justify your proposals using data from the stimulus. [6 marks] [4 marks]
QUESTION 3 In which geological setting are you least likely to find volcanos? (A) intraplate hotspots (B) divergent boundaries (C) transform boundaries (D) convergent boundaries
QUESTION 4 The amount of incoming solar radiation as measured on the Earth’s surface is least affected by the (A) axial tilt of Earth relative to the sun. (B) shape of Earth’s orbit around the sun. (C) activity of sunspots on the sun’s surface. (D) gradual shift in the orientation of Earth’s axis of rotation.
QUESTION 5 Land clearing can reduce the frequency magnitude and intensity of (A) floods. (B) droughts. (C) bushfires. (D) landslides.
QUESTION 7 The graph shows total global carbon dioxide (GtCO ) emissions from burning fossil fuels and deforestation. 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 Global CO emissions (GtCO emissions) 10 0 SG & D HM GD OG - HF OH DB GHG WO FB HD © CS SSS MQ SG VV GON GV os 8 \y os \) S » os \) \N) a yr of Vy Year If the trend since 2000 continues GtCO emissions in 2030 will be approximately (A) 72 (B) 62 (C) 51 (D) 43
QUESTION 8 The most likely trigger for a large-scale tsunami is (A) iceberg calving. (B) a tropical cyclone. (C) asubmarine landslide. (D) an undersea volcanic eruption. QUESTIONS 9-10 These questions refer to the study by Sil et al. (2017) of carbon sequestration and carbon pools in a large area of mixed land use between 1990 and 2020. — ON ) — iN on) — N fon) Carbon sequestration rate (Mg C ha ! yr!) S oo So 0.60 0.40 0.20 Total Above-ground Below-ground Soil organic Detrital organic biomass biomass carbon matter (litter) Key LJ Mixed land use Abandoned agricultural Forest Shrubland 1990-2006 land 2007-2020 2007-2020 2007-2020
QUESTION 11 Which substrate has the highest run-off rate during a flood event? (A) silt (B) clay (C) sand (D) loam
QUESTION 17 (5 marks) The map shows tectonic plates in the Western Pacific region. \ New Caledonia Cd 2 New Hebrides Plate Kermadec Plate Australian Plate xX South Pacific Ocean WI New Zealand Key ' Pacific island chain d a) Identify the plate denoted by X. [1 mark] b) Describe the type of plate boundary interaction between the Kermadec Plate and X. [1 mark] c) Identify the reasons tsunamis are likely to occur in the Pacific island chain. Explain why tsunamis are a significant hazard for the region. [3 marks]
QUESTION 18 (6 marks) The graph shows the rate of carbon dioxide emissions and absorption between 1920 and 2020. Global CO (Gt) a) b) 50 40 30 20 10 0 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 Year Key — Emissions ---- Absorption Explain the net effect of the trends in carbon dioxide emissions shown by the graph. [2 marks] Suggest a likely cause of the trends identified in Question 18a). Explain the implications of the trends for the chemical composition of the atmosphere and the climate. Show your reasoning. [4 marks]
QUESTION 20 (5 marks) The map models changes in winter sea surface temperature from 2006 to 2100. 30.0°S 35.0°S Melbourne 40.0°S 45.0°S / _\ 140.0° E 150.0° E 160.0° E a) Explain a likely change in fisheries distribution and sustainability in area A. b) Identify a mitigation strategy for the change identified in Question 20a) that could be implemented by the Australian government. c) Identify a mitigation strategy for the change identified in Question 20a) that could be implemented by local fisheries. Temperature change (°C) [3 marks] [1 mark] [1 mark]
QUESTION 1 (3 marks) This question refers to Stimulus | in the stimulus book. a) Determine the approximate maximum sustainable yield (MSY) for the fish population. [1 mark] b) It is expected that the carrying capacity of the fishery will decline due to climate change. If the fishery continues to be harvested at the MSY predict the future trend in the graph and the likely outcome. [2 marks]
QUESTION 2 (5 marks) This question refers to Stimulus 2 in the stimulus book. a) Contrast the climatic conditions that would be expected for the continental configurations in Map A and Map B. Show your reasoning using three pieces of evidence from the maps. [3 marks] The opening of the Drake Passage (see Map C) allowed the formation of a very large current that circles Antarctica known as the Antarctic Circumpolar Current. b) Explain expected differences in Antarctica’s climate between Map B and Map C. [2 marks]
QUESTION 3 (9 marks) a) Identify how bushfires can alter the characteristics of the biosphere and soil layer of a forest environment. Parts b) and c) refer to Stimulus 3 in the stimulus book. b) Identify when a bushfire is likely to have occurred. Show your reasoning using data from the graph. c) Infer how the run-off coefficient will evolve after May 2021 in the short term and the long term. Justify your conclusion. [2 marks] [3 marks] [4 marks]
QUESTION 4 (10 marks) This question refers to Stimulus 4 in the stimulus book. a) b) c) d) General circulation models (GCMs) solve fluid equations separately for atmosphere and ocean components. Identify another Earth system component necessary to support these models. Identify the event that occurred around 1991 and 1992 in the equatorial Pacific Ocean and explain its effect on trade winds air pressure and ocean temperature during that period. Draw a conclusion about the validity of the GCM’s representation of El Nifio and La Nina. Justify your conclusion with reference to amplitude and periodicity. Recent climate models predict that extreme El Nifo Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events will approximately double in frequency due to climate change. Explain two ways governments might use this prediction in their decision-making. [1 mark] [4 marks] [3 marks] [2 marks]
QUESTION 5 (6 marks) a) Explain how Antarctic ice cores can provide insight into global temperature changes. [4 marks] b) Explain two limitations of using Antarctic ice core analysis as evidence of past global climate change. [2 marks]
QUESTION 5 A mature tropical cyclone formed off the west coast of Australia and was given a female name starting with J. A short time later another tropical cyclone formed off the east coast of Australia. The correct name for this cyclone would be (A) a female name beginning with K. (B) a female name beginning with J. (C) amale name beginning with K. (D) amale name beginning with J.
QUESTION 6 Urbanisation can increase the magnitude of floods by reducing (A) above-ground water storage capacity. (B) impermeable surface area. (C) evapotranspiration. (D) run-off.
QUESTION 10 Sea ice extent is the area of ice that covers the Arctic and Antarctic Ocean at a given time. The graph shows Arctic and Antarctic sea ice extent anomalies and trends for 1980-2017. The most likely reason for the difference between Antarctic and Arctic extent changes since 1980 is (A) significant glacial melting. (B) decreasing salinity of the Arctic Ocean. (C) the presence of a continental crust beneath Antarctica. (D) a greater increase in northern hemisphere atmospheric temperatures.
Difficulty: C
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Paper 1
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2023
QUESTION 11 Flood events impact river systems by (A) redistributing sediment from upstream to downstream. (B) causing greater erosion on the inside of river bends. (C) permanently reducing upstream biodiversity. (D) reducing the quantity of debris downstream.
QUESTION 13 A topographical map of an island is shown. | Key @© Epicentre of recent earthquakes of magnitude 4 or greater The location with the highest risk of a tsunami is (A) I. (B) IL. (C) IU. (D) IV.
QUESTION 2 (9 marks) Refer to Stimulus 2 in the stimulus book. a) Explain why volcanoes form in Iceland. In 2010 Eyjafjallajokull erupted with a volcanic explosivity index of 4 (0: non-explosive 8: mega-colossal). The ash clouds produced disrupted air travel in Iceland and nearby countries. b) Cc) d) Explain why there was no recorded reduction in global temperature associated with this eruption. Predict another effect of the ash clouds. Explain your reasoning. Explain a mitigation strategy Reykjavik could establish to reduce hazardous outcomes from a nearby volcanic eruption. [3 marks] [2 marks] [2 marks] [2 marks]
QUESTION 3 (16 marks) Refer to Stimulus 3 in the stimulus book. a) b) Cc) d) Determine whether the northern or southern basin is most likely to be experiencing drought. Support your response using evidence from the map. Explain how dams are distributed in the Murray—Darling Basin. Support your response with evidence from the map. Identify a physical and biological strategy to reduce the impact of a future drought in the Murray—Darling Basin. Explain your reasoning. Predict one impact of drought on a terrestrial ecosystem and one impact on an aquatic ecosystem in the Murray—Darling Basin. Explain your reasoning. [2 marks] [4 marks] [6 marks] [4 marks]
QUESTION 4 (9 marks) Refer to Stimulus 4 in the stimulus book. a) Identify the endpoint of the last glaciation period. b) Identify the relationship between the type of pollen and global temperature in the last 160 000 years. Support your response with evidence from the graphs. c) Explain one advantage of using pollen to indicate historical climate change. Support your response with evidence from the graphs. [1 mark] [6 marks] [2 marks]
QUESTION 5 (11 marks) a) Explain the effect of land clearing on the composition of Earth’s atmosphere. [4 marks] Refer to Stimulus 5 in the stimulus book. b) Predict the impact on the composition of the atmosphere if the global methane budget stays the same. [4 marks] c) Draw aconclusion about the significance of anthropogenic contributions to the methane budget and the effect on global temperatures. Explain your reasoning. [3 marks]
QUESTION 1 What type of volcano commonly occurs at a convergent plate boundary? (A) lava dome (B) composite (C) fissure (D) _ shield
QUESTION 5 Which of the following options lists primary greenhouse gases that are produced both naturally and through anthropogenic activities? (A) (B) (C) (D) carbon dioxide methane hydrofluorocarbons chlorofluorocarbons water vapour ozone carbon monoxide chlorofluorocarbons ozone hydrofluorocarbons nitrous oxide carbon monoxide water vapour methane carbon dioxide nitrous oxide
QUESTIONS 16 & 17 P-waves and S-waves travel through the Earth at different speeds. When the time between the arrival of P-waves and S-waves is one minute the epicentre is about 800 km away. The figure below is a flat grid representing an area on the surface of the Earth. 44 — ) ) 49 +++ |++ '— — a ee oe | 36 oot ooo oo kT Hundreds 24 | of kilometres 22 '>—————— > north of 0 | (0 0) 1g@}/-++ +++ +++ *M 12} Sp toto 0 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42 44 Hundreds of kilometres east of (0 0) QUESTION 16 An earthquake is recorded by a seismometer at M. The time difference between the arrival of the corresponding P-waves and S-waves at M is two minutes. Of the locations marked on the grid above which is the most likely location of the epicentre? (A) K (B) L (C) N (D) T
QUESTION 17 If the epicentre of a different earthquake is determined to be 3000 km from N 2400 km from T and 1800 km from L which of the following points would best represent the epicentre’s location? (A) M (B) Q (C) R (D) U
QUESTION 18 Tsunamis can result from (A) large volumes of water being displaced. (B) an oceanic plate colliding into a continental plate. (C) violent seafloor movement associated with earthquakes. (D) an explosive volcanic eruption causing an earthquake in a continental plate.
QUESTION 19 Which two types of plate boundary can be seen in the figure below? Subduction Mid-ocean Subduction ridge f—--N a Convection Convection y» (A) divergent and transform (B) divergent and convergent (C) descending and divergent (D) transform and convergent
QUESTION 21 (10 marks) This question refers to Stimulus | in the stimulus book. a) Explain the three most likely causes of localised flooding in Oxapampa. b) Predict one positive and one negative impact that flood events will have on the local aquatic ecosystem situated along the Rio Chorobamba river. c) What are two ways that the impacts of the flood events could be mitigated for the buildings downstream of Oxapampa? d) Where is agricultural activity most likely to occur in and around Oxapampa? Provide two reasons to justify your response. [3 marks] [2 marks] [2 marks] [3 marks]
QUESTION 22 (5 marks) a) Using Stimulus 2 in the stimulus book identify the relationship between global temperatures and the concentration of heavy oxygen ('%O) in fossils. [1 mark] b) Using Stimulus 3 in the stimulus book explain why ice cores with oxygen isotopes can be used to provide evidence for climate change. [4 marks]
QUESTION 24 (10 marks) a) Using two examples explain how agricultural activity can have a positive and negative impact on the concentration of particulate materials in the atmosphere. [4 marks] b) Discuss the influence of natural and anthropogenic processes on the production of atmospheric carbon dioxide over time using two examples of each. [6 marks]
QUESTION 2 (6 marks) a) Explain the effects on ecosystems and human life if ash and gaseous eruptions from a volcano do not escape the troposphere. [3 marks] b) The table below shows travel time and speed of a lahar eruption through an early warning system. ee ae Draw a conclusion about how effective an early warning system would be in mitigating the impacts of a lahar eruption. Give reasons for your conclusion. [3 marks]
QUESTION 5 (8 marks) Use Stimulus 1 in the stimulus book to answer the following questions. a) | Compare the ability of birds and amphibians to adapt to increases in global temperature. . . a [3 marks] b) — Infer how similar increases in global temperatures would affect insect populations. [5 marks]
QUESTION 6 (15 marks) a) Identify which figure from Stimulus 2 in the stimulus book best represents data from La Nifia years. Justify your decision. b) Using Stimulus 3 in the stimulus book identify the trend in frequency of tropical cyclones across the Australian region from 1970 to 2016. c) Using data from Stimulus 3 draw a conclusion about the trend in severe tropical cyclones that have occurred between 1970 and 2016. Justify your conclusion. d) Using Stimulus 2 and Stimulus 3 predict the frequency and magnitude of drought and flooding events in Northern Queensland in the future. Justify your predictions. e) Predict the effect of future drought events on erosion vegetative distribution patterns and ecosystem regeneration. Justify your predictions. [2 marks] [1 mark] [3 marks] [3 marks] [6 marks]
QUESTION 18 Elevation data for four volcanoes is shown. Elevation above mean (m) Mar 2022 3.1 4.6 3.7 2.6 Jun 2022 3.2 4.8 3.5 2.6 Dec 2022 Jan 2023 Mar 2023 Jun 2023 Which volcano is most likely to erupt in the near future? (A) 1 (B) 2 (C) 3 (D) 4
QUESTION 5 (10 marks) a) b) Use Stimulus 3 and 4 in the stimulus book to infer the impacts that changes in climatic conditions will have on crop productivity for Site A and Site B. Justify each inference with one piece of evidence from each stimulus. For each site propose a strategy that could be used to protect or enhance agricultural production. Justify your proposals using data from the stimulus. [6 marks] [4 marks]
QUESTION 4 (6 marks) Determine if the variables used in Stimulus 2 in the stimulus book are suitable for predicting volcanic eruptions. Justify your response with data from the stimulus.
QUESTION 3 (6 marks) This question refers to Stimulus 2 in the stimulus book. a) Determine the change in average air temperature required for the length of the gonotrophic cycle to decrease from 10 days to 5 days for Aedes aegypti. [2 marks] b) Predict the effect of an average annual 2 °C increase in temperature on the population and distribution of Aedes albopictus. Justify your prediction using two pieces of evidence from the stimulus. [4 marks]
QUESTION 13 A long-term increase in deep ocean temperatures is likely to (A) decrease oceanic circulation and cause an increase in sea levels. (B) increase oceanic circulation and cause an increase in storm frequency. (C) increase oceanic circulation and reduce the local impact of global warming. (D) decrease oceanic circulation and lead to equatorial regions becoming cooler.
QUESTION 7 A consequence of climate change that will affect ocean circulation will be evidenced by (A) (B) (C) (D) increased upwelling of warm water to the surface of the ocean. increased exchange of salt and heat between deep and upper layers of the ocean. reduced amounts of carbon dioxide being released from the ocean into the atmosphere. reduced movement of warm water away from the equator and cool water to the equator.
QUESTION 12 An increase in the melting of Arctic ice caps would slow down ocean circulation due to (A) water layers of different salinities in the ocean. (B) higher air temperatures in the Arctic. (C) the slower flow rate of cold water. (D) denser water entering the ocean.
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