OCR A level geography H481/01
Physical systems actual 2026
paper merged with mark scheme
[Document subtitle]
[DATE]
[COMPANY NAME]
[Company address]
, 1
OCR A level geography
H481/01 Physical systems
actual 2026 paper merged
with mark scheme
INSTRUCTIONS
*1357244154*
• Use black ink. You can use an HB pencil, but only for graphs and diagrams.
• Write your answer to each question in the Answer Booklet. The question
numbers must be clearly shown.
• Fill in the boxes on the front of the Answer Booklet.
• Choose one option in Section A and answer all the questions for that option.
Answer all the questions in Section B.
INFORMATION
• The total mark for this paper is 66.
• The marks for each question are shown in brackets [ ].
• Quality of extended response will be assessed in questions marked with an
asterisk (*).
• This document has 8 pages.
ADVICE
• Try to answer every part of each question you choose.
• Read each question carefully before you start your answer.
OCR is an exempt Charity
Turn over
Section A
Landscape Systems
Choose one option and answer all the parts of the question in your chosen
option.
Option A – Coastal Landscapes
1
(a) Explain the influence of flows of energy in the formation of a salt marsh.
[8]
(b) Study Table 1, which shows cliff erosion rates on the East Yorkshire coast,
UK.
Table 1 Cliff erosion rates on East Yorkshire coast, UK
Rate of
Location erosion
(m / year)
© OCR 2026 H481/01 Jun26
, 2
Bridlington 1.00
Barmston 2.00
Hornsea 0.25
Mappleton 1.50
Aldbrough 0.80
Grimston 1.10
Tunstall 0.75
Withernsea 2.20
Out Newton 1.90
Spurn neck 3.10
(i) Using Table 1, calculate the mean rate of erosion.
Show your workings.
(ii) The standard deviation for the rate of erosion in Table 1 is 0.8.
State what this indicates about the dispersion (spread) of the data set.
(iii) Explain why standard deviation is a more accurate measure of dispersion
(spread) than range
and interquartile range.
(c) Study Fig. 1, a coastal landscape in Norway.
With reference to Fig. 1, explain the influence of one geomorphic process in
shaping landform A
(fjord).
(d) * ‘Coastal landscape systems are influenced more by management
strategies than by the unintentional impacts of economic development.’
To what extent do you agree with this statement? [16] Option B –
Glaciated Landscapes
2
(a) Explain the influence of flows of energy in the formation of a drumlin.
[8]
(b) Study Table 2, which shows valley erosion rates along a glacier in India.
Table 2 Valley erosion rates along a glacier in India
Rate of
Location erosion
(m / year)
Zanskar 1 80
Jobri 30
Bilare Bhang 30
Drang Drung 90
Bhurpu 50
© OCR 2026 H481/01 Jun26
, 3
Hamtah 80
Nikarchu 90
Shankalpa 50
Pindari 64
Poting 50
(i) Using Table 2, calculate the mean rate of erosion.
Show your workings.
(ii) The standard deviation for the rate of erosion in Table 2 is 21.7.
State what this indicates about the dispersion (spread) of the data set.
(iii) Explain why standard deviation is a more accurate measure of dispersion
(spread) than range
and interquartile range.
(c) Study Fig. 2, a periglacial landscape in Iceland.
With reference to Fig. 2, explain the influence of one geomorphic process in
forming landform B
(patterned ground).
(d) * ‘Periglacial landscape systems are influenced more by human activity
than glacial landscape systems.’
To what extent do you agree with this statement?
Turn over
Option C – Dryland Landscapes
3
(a) Explain the influence of flows of energy in the formation of a linear dune.
[8]
(b) Study Table 3, which shows canyon erosion rates in a dryland landscape in
China.
Table 3 Canyon erosion rates in a dryland landscape in China
Rate of
Location erosion
(m / year)
Xi’an 3.5
Yinchan 3.5
© OCR 2026 H481/01 Jun26
Physical systems actual 2026
paper merged with mark scheme
[Document subtitle]
[DATE]
[COMPANY NAME]
[Company address]
, 1
OCR A level geography
H481/01 Physical systems
actual 2026 paper merged
with mark scheme
INSTRUCTIONS
*1357244154*
• Use black ink. You can use an HB pencil, but only for graphs and diagrams.
• Write your answer to each question in the Answer Booklet. The question
numbers must be clearly shown.
• Fill in the boxes on the front of the Answer Booklet.
• Choose one option in Section A and answer all the questions for that option.
Answer all the questions in Section B.
INFORMATION
• The total mark for this paper is 66.
• The marks for each question are shown in brackets [ ].
• Quality of extended response will be assessed in questions marked with an
asterisk (*).
• This document has 8 pages.
ADVICE
• Try to answer every part of each question you choose.
• Read each question carefully before you start your answer.
OCR is an exempt Charity
Turn over
Section A
Landscape Systems
Choose one option and answer all the parts of the question in your chosen
option.
Option A – Coastal Landscapes
1
(a) Explain the influence of flows of energy in the formation of a salt marsh.
[8]
(b) Study Table 1, which shows cliff erosion rates on the East Yorkshire coast,
UK.
Table 1 Cliff erosion rates on East Yorkshire coast, UK
Rate of
Location erosion
(m / year)
© OCR 2026 H481/01 Jun26
, 2
Bridlington 1.00
Barmston 2.00
Hornsea 0.25
Mappleton 1.50
Aldbrough 0.80
Grimston 1.10
Tunstall 0.75
Withernsea 2.20
Out Newton 1.90
Spurn neck 3.10
(i) Using Table 1, calculate the mean rate of erosion.
Show your workings.
(ii) The standard deviation for the rate of erosion in Table 1 is 0.8.
State what this indicates about the dispersion (spread) of the data set.
(iii) Explain why standard deviation is a more accurate measure of dispersion
(spread) than range
and interquartile range.
(c) Study Fig. 1, a coastal landscape in Norway.
With reference to Fig. 1, explain the influence of one geomorphic process in
shaping landform A
(fjord).
(d) * ‘Coastal landscape systems are influenced more by management
strategies than by the unintentional impacts of economic development.’
To what extent do you agree with this statement? [16] Option B –
Glaciated Landscapes
2
(a) Explain the influence of flows of energy in the formation of a drumlin.
[8]
(b) Study Table 2, which shows valley erosion rates along a glacier in India.
Table 2 Valley erosion rates along a glacier in India
Rate of
Location erosion
(m / year)
Zanskar 1 80
Jobri 30
Bilare Bhang 30
Drang Drung 90
Bhurpu 50
© OCR 2026 H481/01 Jun26
, 3
Hamtah 80
Nikarchu 90
Shankalpa 50
Pindari 64
Poting 50
(i) Using Table 2, calculate the mean rate of erosion.
Show your workings.
(ii) The standard deviation for the rate of erosion in Table 2 is 21.7.
State what this indicates about the dispersion (spread) of the data set.
(iii) Explain why standard deviation is a more accurate measure of dispersion
(spread) than range
and interquartile range.
(c) Study Fig. 2, a periglacial landscape in Iceland.
With reference to Fig. 2, explain the influence of one geomorphic process in
forming landform B
(patterned ground).
(d) * ‘Periglacial landscape systems are influenced more by human activity
than glacial landscape systems.’
To what extent do you agree with this statement?
Turn over
Option C – Dryland Landscapes
3
(a) Explain the influence of flows of energy in the formation of a linear dune.
[8]
(b) Study Table 3, which shows canyon erosion rates in a dryland landscape in
China.
Table 3 Canyon erosion rates in a dryland landscape in China
Rate of
Location erosion
(m / year)
Xi’an 3.5
Yinchan 3.5
© OCR 2026 H481/01 Jun26
