FES Earthquake Review Questions
Name____________________ Date________
1.
Earthquakes are the result of slippage that occurs in the:
a. asthenosphere; b. outer core; c. inner core; d. lithosphere
2.
Most earthquakes occur:
a. in the center of tectonic plates;
b. along plate boundaries;
3.
Define the term epicenter.
4.
Define the term focus.
5.
Which type of seismic waves travel through solids?
a. primary waves(p waves); b. secondary waves (s waves);
the above
c. in the mantle
c. surface waves; d. all of
6.
Which type of seismic wave will not travel through liquids? _______________
7.
What type of seismic waves will not travel through the outer core? _________________
8.
Which type of earthquake waves are the fastest? _________________
9.
Why are aftershocks very dangerous?
10.
Why do fire often cause significant damage after an earthquake?
11.
Liquifaction is the process by which water-saturated soil behaves like a liquid when it is
shaken by an earthquake.
Under what conditions does liquefaction occur?
12.
______________ are ocean waves generated by earthquakes or undersea volcanic eruptions.
13.
The ___________________ scale is a measure of the total energy released by an earthquake.
14.
How much stronger is a magnitude 4 earthquake than a magnitude 3 earthquake?
15.
How much stronger is a magnitude 6 earthquake than a magnitude 3 earthquake?
16.
The Mercalli Modified Intensity Scale describes the damage done by earthquakes, not the
strength of an earthquake. The scale ranges from I (no damage/not felt by humans) to IX
(total destruction). Explain why a magnitude 6 earthquake might be rated a VIII on the
Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale in one area, but the same earthquake might be rated a III on
the same scale in another area.
17.
What factors might affect the damage caused by an earthquake in addition to the strength of
the earthquake. List at least three factors.
18.
The San Andreas Fault in California is along a ____ plate boundary.
a. transform; b. divergent; c. convergent