Comprehensively analyse how your named natural feature has been
formed by interacting natural processes. You must use specific case study
information integrated throughout your answer.
1. Interpreting the Question:
Comprehensively: means to give academic depth or insight that shows linkage and
uses geographic terminology
Analyse: means to describe and explain in a logical fashion
Named geographic feature: only one feature asks for and type must be identified
Interacting: Means the processes work together and not independently
Processes: Is plural so at least 2 must be mentioned
Specific case study: must include names and/or statistics about a setting
Integrated : Means you must weave it throughout the answer not tacked on at the end.
2. What is needed for each grade
The standard criteria are:
Achieved
Merit
Demonstrate
understanding of how
interacting natural
processes shape a New
Zealand geographic
environment
Demonstrate in depth
understanding of how
interacting natural
processes shape a New
Zealand geographic
environment
Excellence
Demonstrate comprehensive
understanding of how interacting
natural processes shape a New
Zealand geographic environment
What is therefore needed for each grade for this question is:
Achieved
Merit
Excellence
Name a feature
Name a feature
Name a feature
Mention an environment or
a specific on an
environment at least once
Mention an environment/
specifics on an
environment at least 3
times
Mention an environment/ a
specifics on an environment
more than 3 times throughout
Name 2 interacting
processes that have been
involved in the formation of
this feature
Analyse (describe and
explain) these processes
Name at least 2 interacting
processes that have been
involved in the formation of
this feature
Analyse (describe and
explain) these processes in
depth
Name at least 2 interacting
processes that have been
involved in the formation of this
feature
Analyse (describe and explain)
these processes comprehensively
(showing insight using academic
geographic terminology and
showing linkage between
processes)
(The following examples have been simplified to get the point across – it is expected
that the describe part is provided in a diagram showing the characteristics of the
feature or its location)
NOT ACHIEVED (N1)
A cave is formed when waves crash onto the headland and form a hole in the
rock or cave. Over time this gets bigger.
Comment:
Has not reached the Achieved criteria because no specific environment is mentioned, no
process is included and no explanation for why the hole came to be there is included.
NOT ACHIEVED (N2)
At Muriwai caves are formed when the waves hit the headland and wave erosion
uses sediment to batter against the rock to create a cave.
Comment:
Is partially achieved as includes a name that links it to a specific environment, names a
process and gives a reason for that process. However, since only one process is named
and explained it does not fulfill the requirement for achievement.
ACHIEVED (A3)
Caves are formed when waves approach the headland and bend due to wave
refraction. This then concentrates the waves on the end of the headland where
wave erosion batters the rock and then results in the formation of a cave eg on
Otakamiro point.
Comment:
This just reaches achievement as fulfills the basic criteria required. That is a specific is
mentioned that links it to an environment, two processes (wave refraction and wave
erosion) are named with a brief explanation and an inferred linkage. It is limited by the
brief explanation involved, only mentioning the environment once and due to the case
study being tacked on the end rather than used in context.
ACHIEVED (A4)
The cave on Otakamiro headland is formed when waves from the Tasman
approach the headland. Because of wave refraction the waves slow down and
bend so that they are concentrated on the headland. Pieces of rock carried in the
waves are then hurled at the rock and break it down by corrosion. Together
these processes of wave refraction and corrosion create a cave.
Comment:
This meets the criteria better. There are two clearly named processes (wave refraction
and corrasion), the link between them (they work together and wave refraction happens
first) and an explanation is clear for each and it includes specific case study information
within the text. It falls short of a merit due to the depth of the explanation of the
processes and only two pieces of specific case study information being provided.
MERIT (M5)
Caves are found on Otakamiro headland at Muriwai which are formed by the
sub-processes of wave action including wave refraction and corrasion. The
waves at Muriwai average 2m because of the strong prevailing wind and long
fetch across the Tasman. When they get to Otakamiro headland they bend or
refract onto the headland itself. This process then leads to the erosional
processes that follow. When they reach the headland sediment held in the waves
batter the hard rock and break it down until a small hole is formed in weak
points just above the high water mark. This is known as corrasion. Over time this
hole will expand to form a cave.
Comment:
This answer shows much more structure in that the opening sentence sets the scene by
identifying the feature, the environment and the processes involved. It has the depth of
explanation of the second process of corrosion to allow merit. The link between these
processes is clearly stated. It also has at least 3 specifics on the case study integrated
into the answer. It falls short of a M6 as one of the processes is not explained in depth
but is enough to gain achieved.
MERIT (M6)
Caves are found on Otakamiro headland at Muriwai due to the sub-processes of
wave action such as wave refraction and corrasion. The waves are high energy,
formed due to the strong prevailing winds that blow over 11knots 40% of the
time and the long fetch of 2,000km across the Tasman. When these waves reach
shallow water just off Otakamiro headland they slow down and bend or refract
so they hit the end of the headland. Here the processes of wave erosion can then
occur. Sediment in the waves is used to batter the hard, resistant Manukau
breccia rock. The rock is also broken down when seawater dissolves chemicals in
the rock and make it weaker. In this way cracks that occur in the rock are
widened over time. Eventually these will form a cave such as that found on the
northern end of Otakamiro point.
Comment:
This answer has good depth of both named processes to allow merit. It also uses a lot of
specific case study information. While some linkage between the processes is provided
this is not explored in depth to take to the next level.
EXCELLENCE (E7)
One natural feature that occurs at the South Muriwai Coastal Environment
(SMCE) is the cave that occurs on the Northern side of Otakamiro point. This
cave is formed by several processes that work together of which volcanism,
faulting and wave action are the most important. 17 million years ago submarine
volcanoes erupted and the volcanic lava mixed with the sedimentary rock
present to form a resistant conglomerate called Manukau breccias. Then 10,000
years ago faulting uplifted this rock above sea level to form the Otakamiro
headland. This can then be affected by wave action. Muriwai experiences high
energy waves due to the strong prevailing SW winds and fetch of over 2,000km
across the Tasman. When they approach the headland they slow down and
refract so that the energy is then concentrated onto the headland. When they hit
the headland the rock is eroded by sub-processes such as corrosion, corrosion
and hydraulic action. Hydraulic action is when water is forced into a crack and
pressure differences cause the crack to widen. In this way weak parts of the
headland are eroded to create a hole and eventually a cave.
Comment:
This answer meets the criteria for excellence. A feature is clearly named, the
environment is mentioned using specific information throughout and more than 2
processes are discussed. It uses good geographic terminology such as referring to the
transfer of energy in the system and terms like ‘resistant conglomerate’ and ‘pressure
differentials”. What it is not so strong on is the linkage between processes. This is
inferred by mentioning a process as ‘the most important’ and ‘this can then be affected
by wave action”. Because of this it remains as an E7.
EXCELLENCE (E8)
One natural feature that occurs at the South Muriwai Coastal Environment
(SMCE) is the cave that occurs on the Northern side of Otakamiro point. This has
been formed by several interacting processes which do not act alone but work
together to create the feature. The first important process is tectonic action.
Volcanic activity 17 million years ago was responsible for the hard volcanic
conglomerate or Manukau breccia of which Otakamiro headland is composed
and is the reason it is resistant to the waves and able to form distinctive features
such as a cave. Tectonic action also lifted the headland above sea level 10,000
years ago making it now vulnerable to subsequent wave action. Wave action now
forms the most significant process in creating the cave. Muriwai experiences
waves that average 2m high and contain a lot of energy due to the strong
prevailing SW winds and a fetch of 2,000km across the Tasman. As they
approach the headland the wave velocity slows down as they hit shallow water.
At the same time waves further from the headland continue at their former
speed. This causes the waves to bend or refract so that their energy is now
concentrated on the end of the headland. When the waves hit the headland the
energy is used in the middle scale process of wave erosion. This takes many
forms such as corrasion (sediment carried in the waves being hurled at the
resistant Manukau breccia) and corrosion (the chemical breakdown of soluble
minerals by the seawater). The most important of these small scale processes is
hydraulic action in which water is forced into a crack and then expands due to
pressure differentials and forces the crack apart. Together these sub-processes
act on weaker points of the headland until a cave, such as that found on the
northern end of Otakamiro headland, forms.
Comment:
This is a good answer possessing all the attributes of the E7 but adding to the linkage
mentioned. Here the role played by each process in the formation of the feature is clear.
Again it is an academic answer added to by clear understanding of the different scale of
the processes involved. This gives it clear ‘insight’ or the wow factor.