Earthquakes

Question 1

What is the scale used to measure the strength of an earthquake called?

Answer 1

Richter scale

Question 2

Explain how earthquakes occur

Answer 2

Plates sliding past each other due to convection current in the mantle, get stuck in their path. Tension builds and they jerk forward causing a shake in the crust.

Question 3

Explain the term epicentre

Answer 3

The epicentre is an area above ground over the focus where the earthquake is felt the strongest.

Question 4

What is meant by the focus of an earthquake?

Answer 4

The focus is the starting point of an earthquake underground

Question 5

Describe two ways to reduce the impact of earthquakes

Answer 5

1. earthquake proof buildings can be built which means the building will not collapse when an earthquake occurs.
2. In areas where earthquakes are common (e.g.California), like fire drills, schools and workplaces could have earthquake drills to insure that people know how to stay safe when an earthquake occurs.

Question 6

What is a Tsunami?

Answer 6

A Tsunami is a large ocean wave the results from an earthquake underwater.

Question 7

What is a fault?

Answer 7

A fault is a crack in the earths crust

Question 8

What other things can happen with earthquakes?

Answer 8

• after shocks which are smaller earthquakes happen in the same general area after the main earthquake.

Question 9

What is the tool use to measure earthquakes called?

Answer 9

Seismograph