Deck 4: Geologic Hazards

Question 1

Pieces of evidence about the composition and structure of Earth's interior include:

A) analysis of earthquake waves that pass through Earth
B) study of interior material that emerges as lava and gases from volcanoes
C) study of once-deeply buried rocks that have been uncovered by erosion
D) all of the above

Answer 1

D

Question 2

In terms of earthquake movement, liquefaction is:

A) the differential movement of two sides of a fracture - the location where the ground breaks apart
B) the phenomenon that occurs when ground shaking causes loose soils to lose strength and act like viscous fluid
C) the phenomenon that occurs when waterways lose strength and create massive flooding
D) none of the above

Answer 2

B

Question 3

When the rock on both sides of the fault snaps, it releases the stored energy by producing:

A) tectonic plates
B) fault planes
C) seismic waves
D) lateral spreads

Answer 3

C

Question 4

Earthquake intensity is most commonly measured using the _____________________, a twelve-level scale based on direct and indirect measurements of seismic effects:

A) Modified Mercalli Intensity scale
B) Richter scale
C) Seismograph
D) Microearthquake scale

Question 5

Most buildings and bridges collapse; roads, railways, pipes and cables destroyed; general triggering of other hazards can be described as what level of earthquake intensity:

A) destructive
B) ruinous
C) very disastrous
D) catastrophic

Question 6

Which factor is very likely to infuence the impacts that an earthquake will have on a country or region?

A) warning alarms
B) building codes
C) evacuation routes
D) all of the above

Question 7

While the East Coast of the United States is threatened by tsunamis, there is essentially no risk of tsunamis on the Pacific coast.

Question 8

Although earthquakes in the central and eastern United States are more frequent than in the western part of the country, they represent little seismic risk.

Question 9

A volcano is a vent in the surface of the Earth through which magma and associated gases and ash erupt.

Question 10

Cinder cones are the simplest type of volcano.

Question 11

Shield volcanoes are formed by lava piles that are too thick, or viscous, to flow far away from the vent.

Question 12

Composite volcanoes, also called stratovolcanoes, are large volcanoes that are also oceanic craters. True of False?

Question 13

One of the most common risks associated with volcanic activity involves lava flows.

Question 14

Volcanic ash flows remain close to the ground, but they can travel downhill from the volcano summit very quickly, up to 150 kilometers (90 miles) per hour, incinerating anything in their path as they roar down the slope.

Question 15

Poisonous gases from volcanic activity also pose a danger to humans and animals.

Question 16

The _______ _______is an open-ended logarithmic scale that describes the energy release of an earthquake through a measure of shock wave amplitude.

Question 17

Areas that are prone to frequent volcanic activity are known as_____________, such as the one in Hawaii.

Question 18

The major driving force behind landslides is gravity, assisted by ____________.

Question 19

____________ is the gradual settling of the Earth's surface that occurs because of subsurface movement of earth materials and the resulting loss of support below ground, which can occur naturally or by human activity, such as removal of groundwater.

Question 20

_______ __________ is the wearing away of the land surface adjacent to the ocean by detachment and movement of sand, soil and rock fragments

Question 21

The United States has experienced some very disastrous and catastrophic earthquakes in its history. Select two earthquakes described in chapter 4 and compare and contrast the intensity and damage for each.

Question 22

Describe why earthquakes tend to have more severe impacts on poorer countries as opposed to wealthier countries.