AQA GCSE: Boscastle Floods 2004

What impermeable rock makes up the drainage basin?

• Chalk

• Slate

• Sandstone

• Clay

What was the main cause of the Boscastle floods in Cornwall in 2004?

• Lack of rainfall

• Strong winds

• Heavy rainfall

• Earthquake

Label the features that may have increased the flood risk onto the map

b

c

d

a

Steep sided valley

Few trees in the drainage basin

Narrow channel

Mouth of the river

What were some of the impacts of the floods?

• Cars and trees wedged under the bridge

• Damaged buildings including the Harbour Lights tearoom

• 3 metre wall of water

• All of the above

How many people were airlifted to safety during the floods?

• 50

• 75

• 100

• 125

How many helicopters were used in the response to the floods?

• 3

• 6

• 10

• 12

Reorder the following events in Boscastle on the 16th August 2004?

• Major incident called, 6 helicopters arrive

• Several buildings are washed away

• Extreme rainfall 2 inches in 2 hours

• 3 metre wall of water travels through village

• River channel was full

Which of these is a response to the floods?

• Demolition of damaged buildings

• Building new roads

• Planting more trees

• Constructing a shopping mall

What was one of the long-term responses to the floods?

• Improving flood defences

• Building more houses

• Creating a theme park

• Re-locating the settlement

What was done to improve the bridge in the centre of Boscastle?

• Reinforced old bridge with concrete

• Replaced, with one with higher arch

• Knocked down and removed altogether

• Introduced a ferry