Noteform 2-4: Earthquake Safety (pages 68 – 75)
Name: _____________________________________ Section: _____
1. How long did the ground shaking during the Taipei, Taiwan earthquake in
September, 1999 last for?
___________________________
2. Geologists determine earthquake risk by locating where faults are active and
where past earthquakes have occurred. Analyze the Figure 18 map on page 69
and name three states in the USA where earthquake risk is the very highest:
___________________& ___________________ & __________________
3. In Washington state, earthquakes result from the ________________________of
the Juan de Fuca oceanic plate beneath the continental North American plate.
4. In Alaska, ______________________ of the Pacific plate causes many
earthquakes.
5. In eastern United States, the earthquake risk tends to be low because this region
lies far from
___________________________________.
6. Damage due to an earthquake can happen because of the following four reasons:
shaking, liquefaction, aftershocks and tsunamis. Which of the fours reasons for
damage is defined as smaller earthquakes that occur after the large earthquake in
the same area:
__________________________
7. When an earthquake jolts the ocean floor, plate movement causes the ocean floor
to rise slightly and push water out of its way. The water displaced by the
earthquake may form a large wave called a:
__________________________
8. When soft, loose soil turns into liquid mud, the soil becomes full of moisture and
the ground gives way, buildings sink and pull apart. This is called:
______________________________.
9. The shaking produced by seismic waves can trigger ________________________
or
___________________________.
10. Loose soil shakes __________________ violently than solid rock.
11. What should you do if an earthquake strikes? The main danger is from falling
objects and flying glass. The best way to protect yourself is to:
____________________, _________________ and __________________!!!
12. If you are indoors when a quake strikes, crouch beneath a sturdy _____________
or _______________ and hold on to it.
13. If the above is not available, crouch against an ___________________ wall, away
from the outside of the building, and cover your head and neck with your arms.
14. Avoid windows, mirrors, wall hangings, and furniture that might _____________
15. If you are outdoors, move to an _____________________ area.
16. After a quake, __________________ and ________________________ may fail.
17. List three supplies that should be included within an “earthquake kit.”
__________________ & ____________________ & _____________________
18. The way in which a building is constructed determines whether it can withstand
an earthquake. Examine Figure 21 on page 72. List three things a homeowner can
do the make their house an earthquake-safe house:
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
19. What is a base-isolated building? _______________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
20. Earthquakes can cause ____________________ and _____________________
when gas pipes and water mains break. Flexible joints can be installed in gas and
water lines to keep them from breaking. Automatic shut-off valves would help to
cut off flow.
EXTRA: Read pages 74 – 75. List three (3) “seismic-safe” features below that could be
designed for an urban (city) skyscraper.