Edexcel GCSE Geography B key terms

The ring of towering storm clouds surrounding a tropical cyclone's eye, where the strongest surface winds and torrential rainfall occur.

An image in which colours represent selected wavelengths rather than the colours that human eyes would normally see.

A fracture in rock along which movement has displaced the rock on either side.

The net value of direct investment transactions during a period, such as a calendar year.

The value of direct investment held at a particular point in time, usually the end of a year; also called an FDI position.

A political system in which powers are shared between a national government and governments of states or regions.

The average number of children a woman is expected to have over her lifetime, based on current fertility patterns.

The distance across open water over which a wind blows to generate waves.

Observing and recording geographical information directly in real-world locations.

An energy resource with a limited stock that is not replaced on a human timescale, such as coal, oil or natural gas.

Flooding that develops rapidly, often following intense rainfall, with fast-flowing water.

A structure with gates across a river or estuary that can be closed to prevent high water, such as a tidal storm surge, moving inland.

A relatively flat valley floor beside a river, shaped by lateral erosion and the accumulation of river deposits.

Keeping floodplain land available to flood, with development restricted so that water can spread and be stored with less damage.

The likelihood of river flooding and the potential harm it could cause to people, property and the environment.

A map showing how the likelihood or potential effects of flooding vary between locations, according to its key and stated assumptions.

A wall built along a riverbank to contain higher water levels and protect land behind it.

The point inside the Earth where an earthquake rupture begins.

A network of feeding relationships, with arrows showing the transfer of energy from food to consumer.

Cross-border investment that gives an investor a lasting interest and control or significant influence in a business operating in another country.

A reduction in tree cover. It can indicate deforestation, but tree-cover loss alone does not necessarily establish permanent conversion to another land use.

Damage that reduces a forest’s quality and its ability to support wildlife and provide services, without necessarily removing all its trees.

The planting, management and care of trees and forests for purposes such as timber production, conservation and recreation.

Employment within the regulated economy, normally involving recognised contracts, taxation and legal employment protections.

Coal, oil or natural gas: fuels formed from ancient organic material over millions of years.

Coal, oil and natural gas: fuels formed from ancient organic material that release carbon dioxide when burned.

Hydraulic fracturing: pumping water, sand and chemicals into rock at high pressure to create fractures and release trapped oil or gas.