Earthquakes
Practice Test
1.
What does the straight part of a stress-strain graph portray?
a.
elastic deformation
b.
ductile deformation
c.
failure
d.
shearing direction
2.
What is a rating for an earthquake from the modified Mercalli scale based on?
a.
frequency of the waves
b.
its P-wave
c.
amplitude of the largest wave
d.
amount of damage
3.
According to the map, at which latitude and longitude is most likely to experience an earthquake?
Click here for figure
a.
0
N, 180
W
b.
60
N, 120
E
c.
0
N, 30
W
d.
30
S, 60
W
4.
The record produced by a seismometer is called a __________.
a.
seismograph
b.
seismogram
c.
seismochart
d.
plot
5.
How many times larger is a magnitude 3 than a magnitude 1 earthquake on the Richter scale?
a.
100 000 times
b.
10 times
c.
1/10 times
d.
100 times
6.
Use the graph to determine how long it took for S-waves to reach Station B after the earthquake.
a.
5 minutes
b.
10 minutes
c.
20 minutes
d.
30 minutes
7.
A large ocean wave that is generated by vertical motions of the seafloor during an earthquake is called a(n) __________.
a.
tsunami
b.
seiche
c.
upwelling current
d.
tidal range
8.
What is the probability of earthquake occurrence based on?
a.
reoccurrence rates of earthquakes in an area and the rate of strain buildup
b.
magnitude of P-waves
c.
location of foci
d.
strain buildup only
9.
Which waves are called body waves?
a.
surface waves only
b.
surface waves and S-waves
c.
P-waves and surface waves
d.
P-waves and S-waves
10.
At what point in the graph would a rock be permanently deformed?
a.
at the start of the stress
b.
at the failure point
c.
at the elastic limit
d.
past the elastic limit
11.
What is a rating from the Richter scale based on?
a.
damage from the largest wave
b.
frequency of the waves
c.
size of the largest wave
d.
wavelength of the waves
12.
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.
Acapulco
b.
Houston
c.
Boulder
d.
Chihuahua
13.
__________ causes permanent strain.
a.
Tension
b.
Ductile deformation
c.
Elastic deformation
d.
Compression
14.
What is the crustal part of the lithosphere primarily composed of?
a.
igneous rocks
b.
iron and nickel
c.
peridotite
d.
simple oxides
15.
Which type of fault results in horizontal shortening?
a.
reverse
b.
strike-slip
c.
shear
d.
normal
16.
What are most earthquakes associated with?
a.
rift valleys
b.
divergent plate boundaries
c.
mid-ocean ridges
d.
plate boundaries
17.
Why are three circles needed to determine the epicenter, as shown in the figure?
a.
The epicenter can move.
b.
If only two circles are used, there are two possible locations.
c.
Scientists always take measurements in threes.
d.
The more measurements, the better.
18.
What type of instrument can measure the vibrations of an earthquake?
a.
seismometer
b.
GPS
c.
sonar
d.
seismograph
