Hazardous Environments Flashcards
What are tectonic hazards?
Natural disasters caused by the movement of tectonic plates.
Name two main types of tectonic hazards.
Earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
True or False: Tectonic hazards can affect human life and infrastructure.
True.
What is an earthquake?
A sudden shaking of the ground caused by the release of energy in the Earth’s crust.
Fill in the blank: The point on the Earth’s surface directly above the focus of an earthquake is called the _______.
epicenter.
What is the focus of an earthquake?
The point within the Earth where the earthquake originates.
What scale is commonly used to measure earthquake magnitude?
The Richter scale.
Multiple Choice: Which of the following is NOT a type of seismic wave? A) P-waves B) S-waves C) T-waves
C) T-waves.
What is the difference between a tectonic plate and a fault line?
A tectonic plate is a large slab of Earth’s lithosphere, while a fault line is a fracture along which movement has occurred.
True or False: Volcanic eruptions can only occur at tectonic plate boundaries.
False.
What is magma?
Molten rock located beneath the Earth’s surface.
What is lava?
Magma that has reached the Earth’s surface.
Fill in the blank: The volcanic explosivity index (VEI) measures the _______ of volcanic eruptions.
explosiveness.
What is a stratovolcano?
A type of volcano characterized by steep profiles and explosive eruptions.
Multiple Choice: Which of the following is a type of tectonic plate boundary? A) Divergent B) Convergent C) Transform D) All of the above
D) All of the above.
What happens at a divergent boundary?
Tectonic plates move apart, leading to the formation of new crust.
What is a tsunami?
A series of ocean waves caused by large-scale disturbances, often due to underwater earthquakes.
Fill in the blank: The _______ is the layer of the Earth where tectonic plates float.
asthenosphere.
What is the main cause of volcanic eruptions?
The buildup of pressure from magma beneath the Earth’s surface.
True or False: All earthquakes are caused by human activity.
False.
What is a fault?
A fracture or zone of fractures between two blocks of rock.
Multiple Choice: Which type of seismic wave travels fastest? A) P-waves B) S-waves C) Surface waves
A) P-waves.
What is liquefaction?
The process by which saturated soil loses strength and stiffness during an earthquake.
Fill in the blank: The _______ is a measure of the energy released during an earthquake.
magnitude.
What is a volcanic ash cloud?
A cloud of ash and gas emitted during a volcanic eruption.
True or False: Earthquakes can only occur in certain regions of the world.
False.
What is the Ring of Fire?
A major area in the basin of the Pacific Ocean where a large number of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur.
What is a caldera?
A large depression formed when a volcano erupts and collapses.
Fill in the blank: _______ are small earthquakes that occur in the same area as a larger earthquake.
Aftershocks.
What is a seismic hazard?
The probability of an earthquake causing damage in a specific area.
Multiple Choice: Which of the following can be a secondary effect of an earthquake? A) Landslides B) Tsunamis C) Fires D) All of the above
D) All of the above.
What is the significance of the Mercalli Intensity Scale?
It measures the intensity of an earthquake based on its observed effects on people and structures.
True or False: Volcanic eruptions can influence global climate.
True.
What is a pyroclastic flow?
A fast-moving current of hot gas and volcanic matter that flows down the slopes of a volcano.
Fill in the blank: The _______ of a volcano is the opening through which lava, ash, and gases escape.
vent.
What are tectonic plates made of?
Rigid lithospheric material that includes the crust and the upper mantle.
What is subduction?
The process where one tectonic plate moves under another and sinks into the mantle.
Multiple Choice: Which type of boundary is associated with earthquakes? A) Convergent B) Divergent C) Transform D) All of the above
D) All of the above.
What is a volcanic eruption column?
A vertical plume of ash and gas ejected during an explosive volcanic eruption.
True or False: Earthquake prediction is currently 100% accurate.
False.
What role do tectonic hazards play in the Earth’s geology?
They shape the Earth’s surface and contribute to the rock cycle.
Fill in the blank: The _______ is the layer of the Earth beneath the crust.
mantle.
What is the primary driver of tectonic plate movement?
Heat from the Earth’s interior.
What are volcanic gases?
Gases emitted during a volcanic eruption, including water vapor, carbon dioxide, and sulfur dioxide.
True or False: Tectonic hazards can be mitigated through preparedness and building codes.
True.
