Evaluate to what extent primary effects of a Volcanic eruption are more significant than its secondary effects. (Can be either a 6, 8 mark question or 10 marks)

This is how i would try to get my students to write this answer- (8 to 10 Marks) Firstly I would ask the student to define what a primary effect is and what a secondary effect is. In this introduction I would also try to get them to state which factor they think is more important. Then I would start with primary effects trying to use case study details to add to the answers. Afterwards I would contrast these to the secondary impacts of the volcanic eruption again using case study details. Finally I would write ask them to write a conclusion sentence with the factor that they believe is more important and I would get them to try and quantify the extent that they believe this.
My model answer would be written like this-Primary factors are the initial effect of the volcano which is directly caused by the event, for example loss of life due to lava flows. In contrast secondary effects are the longer term impacts as a result from the primary effects, this includes homelessness because of house disruption. The primary factors tend to be more regional and localized whereas the secondary effects can have wider impacts. Therefore I suggest that the secondary effects have a greater and longer lasting effect.Firstly primary effects of a volcanic eruption include large lava flows, Ash clouds, loss of life, economic losses, house destruction. This was evident in Mount Nyiragongo in the East African Rift valley which when it erupted in 2002.The lava and ash destroyed peoples homes which had wider secondary impacts. These impacts affected a large amount of people initially with 45 deaths reported in the first day. However the secondary impacts of this eruption can be seen to be greater, and this is common at many eruptions. Due to the loss of housing and inadequate management disease like cholera spread (reported 4,000 although this figure may be incorrect due to reporting issues). This meant that more people died as a result of secondary factors. Moreover because the eruption disrupted the economy (350,000 people were aid depended after) it took a longer time for people to recover from the event meaning that the effect was felt more severe. Furthermore the loss of Goma airport from the lava flow meant that the important aid couldn't enter the country as easily . This increased the recovery time and meant people were less resilient.In conclusion, I believe the secondary impacts of a Volcanic eruption have a greater effect to a 85% degree. This does depend on the severity of the event with volcanic eruptions higher on VEI scale tending to have a larger secondary impact. This is evident for the Iceland eruption in 2010 and the 2002 Nyirangongo eruption. Primary effects tend to be more regional; their effects can seem the most extreme due to media coverage but the primary effects last for a shorter time. Overall secondary impacts are more wide spread, lasting for a greater time and impact upon a broader range of people who may have not been impacted initally.