Impacts: primary/secondary, environmental, social, economic, political
Volcanic eruptions cause a wide range of impacts. Geographers sort these impacts into categories — such as social, economic and political — to analyse them clearly.
Real World
The 1991 Mount Pinatubo eruption in the Philippines killed around 800 people (primary social impact), but sulphur dioxide injected into the stratosphere lowered global temperatures by 0.5°C for two years — a secondary environmental impact felt worldwide.
Exam Focus
Always specify the category (primary/secondary AND social/economic/environmental/political) when stating an impact; vague answers score one mark, categorised ones score two.
Essay Framework
Use PEEL to structure every paragraph. Tap each step for guidance and an example.
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