lesson 2 Flashcards
What is the primary instrument used to measure earthquakes?
Seismometer
True or False: Earthquakes can be predicted with 100% accuracy.
False
Fill in the blank: The scale used to measure the energy released by an earthquake is called the _____ scale.
Richter
What does the moment magnitude scale (Mw) measure?
The total energy released by an earthquake.
Which scale measures the intensity of shaking experienced by people during an earthquake?
Modified Mercalli Intensity scale
Multiple choice: Which of the following is NOT a method of earthquake prediction? A) Statistical analysis B) Animal behavior C) Weather forecasting D) Geological history
C) Weather forecasting
What is the term for the point on the Earth’s surface directly above the focus of an earthquake?
Epicenter
True or False: Seismologists use seismic waves to locate the epicenter of an earthquake.
True
What type of seismic waves are the fastest and arrive first at a seismograph?
P-waves (Primary waves)
Fill in the blank: The _____ is the location within the Earth where an earthquake originates.
Focus
Multiple choice: Which of these waves are responsible for most of the damage during an earthquake? A) P-waves B) S-waves C) Surface waves D) All of the above
C) Surface waves
What is the purpose of a seismograph?
To record the motion of the ground during an earthquake.
True or False: Earthquakes can occur anywhere in the world.
True
Fill in the blank: The _____ is the scale commonly used in the United States to report the magnitude of earthquakes.
Richter scale
What does the term ‘aftershock’ refer to?
Smaller earthquakes that occur after the main shock.
Multiple choice: What is the main cause of earthquakes? A) Volcanic activity B) Tectonic plate movements C) Meteor impacts D) Human activities
B) Tectonic plate movements
What is the relationship between earthquake magnitude and energy release?
Each whole number increase on the Richter scale corresponds to a tenfold increase in measured amplitude and approximately 31.6 times more energy release.
True or False: The S-wave is a type of shear wave that cannot travel through liquids.
True
Fill in the blank: The area where two tectonic plates meet is known as a _____ zone.
Fault
What is the significance of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake?
It was one of the most significant earthquakes in U.S. history, leading to advancements in seismology and earthquake engineering.
Multiple choice: Which technology is used to visualize seismic activity in real-time? A) GPS B) Remote sensing C) Seismic monitoring networks D) All of the above
C) Seismic monitoring networks
What is seismic retrofitting?
The process of strengthening existing buildings to withstand seismic activity.
True or False: Tsunamis are caused only by underwater earthquakes.
False
Fill in the blank: The _____ is the scale that categorizes earthquakes based on the damage they cause.
Modified Mercalli Intensity scale
What is an earthquake early warning system?
A system designed to detect earthquakes and provide alerts before shaking begins.
