lesson 2

Question 1

What is the primary instrument used to measure earthquakes?

Answer 1

Seismometer

Question 2

True or False: Earthquakes can be predicted with 100% accuracy.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

Fill in the blank: The scale used to measure the energy released by an earthquake is called the _____ scale.

Answer 3

Richter

Question 4

What does the moment magnitude scale (Mw) measure?

Answer 4

The total energy released by an earthquake.

Question 5

Which scale measures the intensity of shaking experienced by people during an earthquake?

Answer 5

Modified Mercalli Intensity scale

Question 6

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

Answer 6

C) Weather forecasting

Question 7

What is the term for the point on the Earth’s surface directly above the focus of an earthquake?

Answer 7

Epicenter

Question 8

True or False: Seismologists use seismic waves to locate the epicenter of an earthquake.

Answer 8

True

Question 9

What type of seismic waves are the fastest and arrive first at a seismograph?

Answer 9

P-waves (Primary waves)

Question 10

Fill in the blank: The _____ is the location within the Earth where an earthquake originates.

Answer 10

Focus

Question 11

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

Answer 11

C) Surface waves

Question 12

What is the purpose of a seismograph?

Answer 12

To record the motion of the ground during an earthquake.

Question 13

True or False: Earthquakes can occur anywhere in the world.

Answer 13

True

Question 14

Fill in the blank: The _____ is the scale commonly used in the United States to report the magnitude of earthquakes.

Answer 14

Richter scale

Question 15

What does the term ‘aftershock’ refer to?

Answer 15

Smaller earthquakes that occur after the main shock.

Question 16

Multiple choice: What is the main cause of earthquakes? A) Volcanic activity B) Tectonic plate movements C) Meteor impacts D) Human activities

Answer 16

B) Tectonic plate movements

Question 17

What is the relationship between earthquake magnitude and energy release?

Answer 17

Each whole number increase on the Richter scale corresponds to a tenfold increase in measured amplitude and approximately 31.6 times more energy release.

Question 18

True or False: The S-wave is a type of shear wave that cannot travel through liquids.

Answer 18

True

Question 19

Fill in the blank: The area where two tectonic plates meet is known as a _____ zone.

Answer 19

Fault

Question 20

What is the significance of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake?

Answer 20

It was one of the most significant earthquakes in U.S. history, leading to advancements in seismology and earthquake engineering.

Question 21

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

Answer 21

C) Seismic monitoring networks

Question 22

What is seismic retrofitting?

Answer 22

The process of strengthening existing buildings to withstand seismic activity.

Question 23

True or False: Tsunamis are caused only by underwater earthquakes.

Answer 23

False

Question 24

Fill in the blank: The _____ is the scale that categorizes earthquakes based on the damage they cause.

Answer 24

Modified Mercalli Intensity scale

Question 25

What is an earthquake early warning system?

Answer 25

A system designed to detect earthquakes and provide alerts before shaking begins.