A- L E V E L G EO G R A P H Y
Natural Hazards
Case Study Pack
Tropical Storms • Volcanic Hazards • Wildfires
Hurricane Sandy & Cyclone Winston | Mount Etna &
Montserrat | Alberta Wildfire 2016
S Social E Economic E Environmental P Political
Structured using the Social – Economic – Environmental – Political
(SEEP) framework for clear, exam-ready comparison
© M AR I A P H I L L I PS 1
, A- L EV E L G EO G R A P H Y — N ATUR A L H AZAR D S CAS E STU DY PAC K
How to Use This Guide
Each hazard is presented as a side-by-side comparison of a case study from a higher-income
country and a lower-income (or middle-income) country, broken down using the Social,
Economic, Environmental and Political (SEEP) framework examiners look for. The final
column in each table draws out the comparison points and evaluative statements you can use
directly in extended-writing answers.
These case studies map onto the Hazards / Natural Hazards topics found across UK A-level
Geography specifications (AQA, Edexcel, OCR and WJEC/Eduqas) — check your own
specification for which named case studies are required.
Contents
1. Tropical Storms P. 3
Hurricane Sandy (USA, 2012) vs Cyclone Winston (Fiji, 2016)
2. Volcanic Hazards P. 5
Mount Etna, Sicily (1991–2018) vs Montserrat (1995–present)
3. Wildfires P. 7
Causes & global systems · Case study: Alberta Wildfire 2016 · Primary vs secondary impacts
© M AR I A P H I L L I PS 2
Natural Hazards
Case Study Pack
Tropical Storms • Volcanic Hazards • Wildfires
Hurricane Sandy & Cyclone Winston | Mount Etna &
Montserrat | Alberta Wildfire 2016
S Social E Economic E Environmental P Political
Structured using the Social – Economic – Environmental – Political
(SEEP) framework for clear, exam-ready comparison
© M AR I A P H I L L I PS 1
, A- L EV E L G EO G R A P H Y — N ATUR A L H AZAR D S CAS E STU DY PAC K
How to Use This Guide
Each hazard is presented as a side-by-side comparison of a case study from a higher-income
country and a lower-income (or middle-income) country, broken down using the Social,
Economic, Environmental and Political (SEEP) framework examiners look for. The final
column in each table draws out the comparison points and evaluative statements you can use
directly in extended-writing answers.
These case studies map onto the Hazards / Natural Hazards topics found across UK A-level
Geography specifications (AQA, Edexcel, OCR and WJEC/Eduqas) — check your own
specification for which named case studies are required.
Contents
1. Tropical Storms P. 3
Hurricane Sandy (USA, 2012) vs Cyclone Winston (Fiji, 2016)
2. Volcanic Hazards P. 5
Mount Etna, Sicily (1991–2018) vs Montserrat (1995–present)
3. Wildfires P. 7
Causes & global systems · Case study: Alberta Wildfire 2016 · Primary vs secondary impacts
© M AR I A P H I L L I PS 2
