Chapter 4 Flashcards
accelerographs
- instruments that record the acceleration of the ground during an earthquake.
fracture zones
-major lines of weakness in oceanic crust; former transform faults.
igneous rocks
- rocks formed by the solidification of magma
intraplate earthquakes
- earthquakes occurring within a tectonic plate, far away form plate boundaries.
intrusion
- the process by which magma forces into fissures of pre-existing rocks and crystallizes below the surface of the earth
- bodies formed by the process of intrusion
seismicity
- the frequency and spatial distribution of earthquakes
seismic zonation
- a geographical delineation of areas having similar damage potential from future earthquakes.
shakemaps
- Macs of Marcalli intensity derived automatically from data recorded by a network of seismographs and computed in near real-time.
Where is the eastern boundary of the North American tectonic plate located?
- along the mid-atlantic ridge
Rank the following cities in order of decreasing seismic risk: Montreal, Quebec City, Vancouver, Victoria.
1) Vancouver
2) Montreal
3) Victoria
4) Quebec City
Why Is seismic hazard difficult to assess in Canada?
- historical data is only available for a few hundred years
What might happen when the Cascade mega thrust fault ruptures?
- a large earthquake of approximately magnitude 9
- a tsunami
What is the dominant deformation force associated with the Queen Charlotte fault?
- shear
The Juan de Fuca plate is a remnant of which ancient plate?
- Farallon plate
Why is the urban seismic risk lower in Victoria than in Vancouver?
- the population of Victoria is lower than that of Vancouver