Earthquakes
Practice Test
1.
What is a rating for an earthquake from the modified Mercalli scale based on?
a.
frequency of the waves
b.
amplitude of the largest wave
c.
amount of damage
d.
its P-wave
2.
Which wave arrives at a seismic facility first?
a.
tidal wave
b.
P-wave
c.
S-wave
d.
surface wave
3.
Why are three circles needed to determine the epicenter, as shown in the figure?
a.
If only two circles are used, there are two possible locations.
b.
The more measurements, the better.
c.
The epicenter can move.
d.
Scientists always take measurements in threes.
4.
A large ocean wave that is generated by vertical motions of the seafloor during an earthquake is called a(n) __________.
a.
tsunami
b.
tidal range
c.
seiche
d.
upwelling current
5.
What type of instrument can measure the vibrations of an earthquake?
a.
seismometer
b.
sonar
c.
seismograph
d.
GPS
6.
What are shallow, intermediate, and deep earthquake classifications based on?
a.
amplitude of the largest wave
b.
frequency of the largest wave
c.
the amount of damage
d.
the depth of the focus
7.
According to the map, at which latitude and longitude is most likely to experience an earthquake?
Click here for figure
a.
0
N, 30
W
b.
0
N, 180
W
c.
30
S, 60
W
d.
60
N, 120
E
8.
What is the study of earthquakes called?
a.
sedimentology
b.
cartography
c.
seismology
d.
geology
9.
Which type of fault results in horizontal shortening?
a.
reverse
b.
normal
c.
shear
d.
strike-slip
10.
According to the map, a seismic station in which city would be the first to detect seismic waves from an earthquake occurring in Mexico City?
a.
Boulder
b.
Chihuahua
c.
Acapulco
d.
Houston
11.
Why does knowledge of Earth's interior come from seismic waves?
a.
They change speed and direction when they encounter different materials.
b.
They change direction and intensity when they encounter different material.
c.
They change type when they encounter different materials.
d.
They change speed only when they encounter different materials.
12.
What does the straight part of a stress-strain graph portray?
a.
failure
b.
elastic deformation
c.
ductile deformation
d.
shearing direction
13.
What is the probability of earthquake occurrence based on?
a.
strain buildup only
b.
location of foci
c.
reoccurrence rates of earthquakes in an area and the rate of strain buildup
d.
magnitude of P-waves
14.
What is a rating from the Richter scale based on?
a.
wavelength of the waves
b.
damage from the largest wave
c.
frequency of the waves
d.
size of the largest wave
15.
Where does an earthquake originate?
a.
at the P-wave
b.
at the focus
c.
at the epicenter
d.
at Earth's inner core
16.
At what point in the graph would a rock be permanently deformed?
a.
at the failure point
b.
at the elastic limit
c.
at the start of the stress
d.
past the elastic limit
17.
What is the crustal part of the lithosphere primarily composed of?
a.
simple oxides
b.
igneous rocks
c.
peridotite
d.
iron and nickel
18.
__________ is the force per unit area acting on a material.
a.
Strain
b.
Stress
c.
Rotation
d.
Shear
