Question 1

Earthquakes are caused by movement along lithospheric plates. Lithospheric plates move by:&#10;A) converging plates (moving together)&#10;B) diverging plates(moving apart)&#10;C) side-by-side motion (sliding past one another)&#10;D) all of the above

Accepted Answer

Earthquakes can be caused by all three types of plate movement: converging plates, diverging plates, and side-by-side motion. When plates converge, one may slide under the other, causing a subduction zone and potential earthquake. When plates diverge, magma may rise to the surface and cause earthquakes as it breaks through the crust. When plates move side-by-side, they can become locked and then suddenly release, causing a seismic shift and earthquake.

Question 2

As stress is imposed on a rock, it will deform until the stress is greater than the strength of the rock causing a(n):&#10;A) fault&#10;B) earthquake&#10;C) focus&#10;D) epicenter

Accepted Answer

When stress exceeds the strength of the rock, it causes a sudden release of energy resulting in an earthquake.

Question 3

The ________ is measured by the severity of shaking and the amount of damage that occurs following an earthquake.&#10;A) intensity&#10;B) magnitude&#10;C) epicenter&#10;D) amount of energy released

Accepted Answer

Intensity is a measure of the effects of an earthquake on humans, structures, and the natural environment at a specific location, while magnitude is a measurement of the amount of energy released at the source of the earthquake. The epicenter is the location on the Earth's surface directly above the earthquake's focus (or hypocenter), which is the point where the earthquake originates. The amount of energy released is related to the magnitude of the earthquake. Therefore, the best choice is A - intensity.

Question 4

Shaking is felt stronger near the epicenter of an earthquake and lessens to areas moving farther away. This effect is called:&#10;A) amplification&#10;B) attenuation&#10;C) intensity&#10;D) dissipation

Accepted Answer

Attenuation refers to the weakening of the earthquake shaking as it moves away from the epicenter. Amplification refers to the magnification of shaking due to certain geological conditions. Intensity refers to the subjective assessment of the effects of an earthquake on people, buildings, and the environment. Dissipation refers to the dissipation of energy from the earthquake as it propagates through the earth's crust.

Question 5

Geophysicist Charles Richter developed the Richter Scale to measure an earthquake's magnitude. An increase from 4.0 magnitude to 5.0 magnitude means:&#10;A) the amount of energy released is 1 times greater&#10;B) not much of an increase compared to the amount of damage&#10;C) there is 10 times more physical force of ground motion&#10;D) there is 5 times more energy released

Accepted Answer

The Richter Scale is logarithmic, meaning each whole number increase on the scale represents a tenfold increase in measured amplitude. Thus, an increase from 4.0 to 5.0 indicates the physical force of ground motion is 10 times greater.

Question 6

Although a 7.0 magnitude earthquake measures the same amount of ground motion despite the location, certain areas experience more destruction than others. Reason(s) that may explain this are:&#10;A) the area is more heavily populated&#10;B) the ground to which the earthquake travels through may experience more shaking&#10;C) structures are not built to withstand earthquakes&#10;D) all of the above

Accepted Answer

All of the reasons listed (heavily populated area, ground susceptibility to shaking, and insufficient earthquake-resistant infrastructure) can contribute to higher levels of destruction in certain areas despite the earthquake registering the same magnitude.

Question 7

Shaking accounts for just a fraction of the damage caused by earthquakes. Damage may also be caused by:&#10;A) fires&#10;B) tsunami&#10;C) landslides&#10;D) all of the above

Accepted Answer

All of the above are possible causes of damage from earthquakes. Fires can be sparked by ruptured gas lines or electrical wires. Tsunamis can be triggered by undersea earthquakes. Landslides can be triggered by shaking and can cause damage to buildings or infrastructure located near steep slopes.

Question 8

Educating the public about the causes of earthquakes and their potential hazards may help to alleviate death and destruction should an earthquake occur, but a country also needs _____ to help prepare for the likelihood of such an event.

A) food
B) water
C) money
D) more people

Accepted Answer

A country needs money to invest in earthquake-resistant infrastructure, emergency response systems, and other measures to prepare and mitigate the impact of earthquakes. Food, water, and more people may be important for immediate relief efforts after an earthquake occurs, but they do not address the underlying need for preparation and prevention.

Question 9

Earthquakes that do NOT occur along a plate boundary occur in this zone.&#10;A) Circum-Pacific belt&#10;B) intraplate&#10;C) Trans-Eurasian belt&#10;D) Midocean ridge belt

Accepted Answer

Earthquakes that do not occur along plate boundaries occur in intraplate zones, which are located within the interior of a tectonic plate rather than at plate boundaries. The other zones mentioned – the Circum-Pacific belt, Trans-Eurasian belt, and Midocean ridge belt – are all plate boundary zones where earthquakes commonly occur.

Question 10

The greatest concentration of earthquakes occurs along the:&#10;A) Circum-Pacific belt&#10;B) intraplate&#10;C) trans-Eurasian belt&#10;D) midocean ridge belt

Accepted Answer

The Circum-Pacific belt, also known as the Pacific Ring of Fire, is the most seismically active region on Earth, accounting for approximately 80% of all earthquakes. This belt runs along the edges of the Pacific Ocean and includes the west coast of North and South America, Japan, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

Question 11

Why did the 9.2 magnitude in Alaska's 1964 earthquake result in only 131 deaths, while the 7.0 magnitude in Haiti's 2010 earthquake result in over 300,000 deaths?&#10;A) poor construction of buildings in Haiti caused buildings to collapse&#10;B) because Alaska is built on loose sediment and buildings moved with the shaking&#10;C) because of low population density near the epicenter in Alaska's earthquake&#10;D) both (a) and (c)

Accepted Answer

The answer of Why did the 9.2 magnitude in Alaska's...

Question 12

The largest earthquakes that have been recorded typically occur along:&#10;A) divergent boundaries&#10;B) convergent boundaries&#10;C) strike-slip boundaries&#10;D) all of the above produce extremely large earthquakes

Accepted Answer

The answer of The largest earthquakes that have been recorded...

Question 13

Subduction zones are associated with this type of plate boundary.&#10;A) divergent boundaries&#10;B) convergent boundaries&#10;C) strike-slip boundaries&#10;D) all of the above

Accepted Answer

The answer of Subduction zones are associated with this type...

Question 14

A tsunami wave is also correctly called a:&#10;A) seismic sea wave&#10;B) tidal wave&#10;C) volcano wave&#10;D) both (a) and (b)

Accepted Answer

The answer of A tsunami wave is also correctly called...

Question 15

In 2011, over 20,000 people died in Japan's 9.2M Tohoku earthquake. The worst damage and loss of life were caused by:&#10;A) nuclear fallout&#10;B) landslide&#10;C) tsunami&#10;D) collapsed buildings

Accepted Answer

The answer of In 2011, over 20,000 people died in...

Question 16

All of the following are possible causes of a tsunami EXCEPT:&#10;A) earthquake&#10;B) volcano&#10;C) landslide&#10;D) earth-moon gravitational pull

Accepted Answer

The answer of All of the following are possible causes...

Deck 33: Earthquakes and Landscapes