Question 1

Which of the following statements concerning moonquakes is NOT true?

Accepted Answer

A)  Many are caused by meteorite impacts. 
B)  Most have a magnitude between 2.5 to 5.0. 
C)  Some are caused by the gravitational pull of the Earth. 
D)  Only about 3000 moonquakes are recorded each year, in comparison to the million or more quakes that occur on the Earth. 
A)  Many are caused by meteorite impacts. 
B)  Most have a magnitude between 2.5 to 5.0. 
C)  Some are caused by the gravitational pull of the Earth. 
D)  Only about 3000 moonquakes are recorded each year, in comparison to the million or more quakes that occur on the Earth. B

Question 2

All of the following statements describe the seismograph patterns of earthquakes monitored by the International Data Center EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

A)  energy waves begin slowly. 
B)  all energy waves are generated instantaneously. 
C)  energy waves peak erratically. 
D)  energy waves decrease unevenly. 
A)  energy waves begin slowly. 
B)  all energy waves are generated instantaneously. 
C)  energy waves peak erratically. 
D)  energy waves decrease unevenly. B

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT true of earthquake waves?

Accepted Answer

A)  Surface waves arrive at a seismograph first because they are not impeded by rock. 
B)  S waves are body waves and act on rocks in a shearing motion. 
C)  P waves are body waves and act by compressing and expanding rocks. 
D)  The combining of both types of surface waves is responsible for most earthquake damage to rigid structures. 
A)  Surface waves arrive at a seismograph first because they are not impeded by rock. 
B)  S waves are body waves and act on rocks in a shearing motion. 
C)  P waves are body waves and act by compressing and expanding rocks. 
D)  The combining of both types of surface waves is responsible for most earthquake damage to rigid structures. A

Question 4

The lag between P- and S- wave arrival times can be converted to:

Accepted Answer

A)  the seismic moment of the earthquake. 
B)  the intensity of the earthquake. 
C)  the distance between the earthquake epicenter and the seismograph station. 
D)  the magnitude of the earthquake. 
A)  the seismic moment of the earthquake. 
B)  the intensity of the earthquake. 
C)  the distance between the earthquake epicenter and the seismograph station. 
D)  the magnitude of the earthquake.

Question 5

Critical facilities that must survive an earthquake to prevent a heavy toll of human life include:

Accepted Answer

A)  nuclear power plants. 
B)  fire and police departments. 
C)  large dams. 
D)  all of the above. 
A)  nuclear power plants. 
B)  fire and police departments. 
C)  large dams. 
D)  all of the above.

Question 6

Liquefaction during an earthquake primarily affects:

Accepted Answer

A)  foliated metamorphic rocks. 
B)  rock fragments detached from bedrock. 
C)  thick sedimentary rock layers. 
D)  fine- grained clays and silts. 
A)  foliated metamorphic rocks. 
B)  rock fragments detached from bedrock. 
C)  thick sedimentary rock layers. 
D)  fine- grained clays and silts.

Question 7

Earthquakes measuring 5 and 7 on the Richter scale differ in wave amplitude by:

Accepted Answer

A)  2 times. 
B)  10 times. 
C)  100 times. 
D)  1000 times. 
A)  2 times. 
B)  10 times. 
C)  100 times. 
D)  1000 times.

Question 8

Describe three of the theories that attempt to explain the cause of intraplate earthquakes.

Accepted Answer

(Students' answers should include three

Question 9

Which of the following statements about earthquake depths and magnitudes is NOT true?

Accepted Answer

A)  Because rocks buried deep in the Earth cannot store strain energy very well, many earthquakes occur in rocks more than 435 miles below the Earth's surface. 
B)  Earthquakes occurring at depths between 45 and 180 miles are considered intermediate in depth. 
C)  Most major earthquakes occur at depths of less than 60 miles. 
D)  Most minor earthquakes occur at a depth of less than 60 miles. 
A)  Because rocks buried deep in the Earth cannot store strain energy very well, many earthquakes occur in rocks more than 435 miles below the Earth's surface. 
B)  Earthquakes occurring at depths between 45 and 180 miles are considered intermediate in depth. 
C)  Most major earthquakes occur at depths of less than 60 miles. 
D)  Most minor earthquakes occur at a depth of less than 60 miles.

Question 10

Explain why the Mercalli intensity scale does not measure earthquakes objectively.

Accepted Answer

The Mercalli intensity scale measures ea

Question 11

What factors determine whether a particular building is susceptible to damage by an earthquake?

Accepted Answer

Common sense tells us that a building wo

Question 12

Which of the following statements about earthquakes is NOT true?

Accepted Answer

A)  An earthquake's focus is the place within the Earth where rocks shift in response to stress. 
B)  Aftershocks are caused by continued reverberation of rock after a major earthquake. 
C)  After an earthquake, rocks along a fault temporarily lock in place and resist further movement, causing earthquakes to be sporadic rather than continuous. 
D)  An earthquake's epicenter is in the exact center of the fault that causes the earthquake. 
A)  An earthquake's focus is the place within the Earth where rocks shift in response to stress. 
B)  Aftershocks are caused by continued reverberation of rock after a major earthquake. 
C)  After an earthquake, rocks along a fault temporarily lock in place and resist further movement, causing earthquakes to be sporadic rather than continuous. 
D)  An earthquake's epicenter is in the exact center of the fault that causes the earthquake.

Question 13

To locate the epicenter of an earthquake, a seismologist must determine all of the following EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

A)  the distance from the epicenter to at least three different seismological stations. 
B)  the difference in travel times between P waves and S waves. 
C)  the velocity of both P waves and S waves. 
D)  the depth of the earthquake and the type of fault from which it originated. 
A)  the distance from the epicenter to at least three different seismological stations. 
B)  the difference in travel times between P waves and S waves. 
C)  the velocity of both P waves and S waves. 
D)  the depth of the earthquake and the type of fault from which it originated.

Question 14

Which of the following terms is NOT described correctly?

Accepted Answer

A)  A seismogram is a visual record of seismic waves and their amplitudes. 
B)  A seismograph is an instrument that measures the magnitude of an earthquake. 
C)  A seismometer is the scale used for measuring seismic waves. 
D)  A seismic wave is the way earthquake energy is transmitted through the Earth. 
A)  A seismogram is a visual record of seismic waves and their amplitudes. 
B)  A seismograph is an instrument that measures the magnitude of an earthquake. 
C)  A seismometer is the scale used for measuring seismic waves. 
D)  A seismic wave is the way earthquake energy is transmitted through the Earth.

Question 15

Japan is the site of about 15% of the Earth's seismic energy release because it is located:

Accepted Answer

A)  where the Pacific plate descends beneath the Eurasian plate. 
B)  at the transform boundary between the Pacific and Eurasian plates. 
C)  where the Eurasian plate descends beneath the Pacific plate. 
D)  at the continental collision boundary between the Eurasian and Pacific plates. 
A)  where the Pacific plate descends beneath the Eurasian plate. 
B)  at the transform boundary between the Pacific and Eurasian plates. 
C)  where the Eurasian plate descends beneath the Pacific plate. 
D)  at the continental collision boundary between the Eurasian and Pacific plates.

Question 16

An earthquake- induced seiche can best be described as:

Accepted Answer

A)  an extended period of wave activity on a lake. 
B)  a back- and- forth region of waves on a lake. 
C)  a lake- sized tsunami. 
D)  a back- and- forth motion of the entire body of water within a lake. 
A)  an extended period of wave activity on a lake. 
B)  a back- and- forth region of waves on a lake. 
C)  a lake- sized tsunami. 
D)  a back- and- forth motion of the entire body of water within a lake.

Question 17

Describe the fundamental principle by which a seismograph works.

Accepted Answer

A seismograph is firmly attached to the

Question 18

All of the following are damaging effects of earthquakes EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

A)  vertical ground displacement along dip- slip faults. 
B)  landslides involving unstable rock, rock fragments, or soil. 
C)  liquefaction, the release of flood waters by the destruction of a dam. 
D)  displacement of fences through ground shifts in which a block of earth moves laterally. 
A)  vertical ground displacement along dip- slip faults. 
B)  landslides involving unstable rock, rock fragments, or soil. 
C)  liquefaction, the release of flood waters by the destruction of a dam. 
D)  displacement of fences through ground shifts in which a block of earth moves laterally.

Question 19

Most earthquakes are caused by:

Accepted Answer

A)  the release of accumulated strain energy in rocks undergoing elastic deformation. 
B)  magma moving forcefully through underground caverns. 
C)  the release of accumulated strain energy in rocks undergoing plastic deformation. 
D)  excess lithostatic pressure on rocks buried deep within the Earth. 
A)  the release of accumulated strain energy in rocks undergoing elastic deformation. 
B)  magma moving forcefully through underground caverns. 
C)  the release of accumulated strain energy in rocks undergoing plastic deformation. 
D)  excess lithostatic pressure on rocks buried deep within the Earth.

Question 20

What do we know about moonquakes?

Accepted Answer

Our knowledge of moonquakes comes from s

Which of the following statements concerning moonquakes is NOT true?

All of the following statements describe the seismograph patterns of earthquakes monitored by the International Data Center EXCEPT:

Which of the following is NOT true of earthquake waves?

The lag between P- and S- wave arrival times can be converted to:

Critical facilities that must survive an earthquake to prevent a heavy toll of human life include:

Liquefaction during an earthquake primarily affects:

Earthquakes measuring 5 and 7 on the Richter scale differ in wave amplitude by:

Describe three of the theories that attempt to explain the cause of intraplate earthquakes.

Which of the following statements about earthquake depths and magnitudes is NOT true?

Explain why the Mercalli intensity scale does not measure earthquakes objectively.

What factors determine whether a particular building is susceptible to damage by an earthquake?

Which of the following statements about earthquakes is NOT true?

To locate the epicenter of an earthquake, a seismologist must determine all of the following EXCEPT:

Which of the following terms is NOT described correctly?

Japan is the site of about 15% of the Earth's seismic energy release because it is located:

An earthquake- induced seiche can best be described as:

Describe the fundamental principle by which a seismograph works.

All of the following are damaging effects of earthquakes EXCEPT:

Most earthquakes are caused by:

What do we know about moonquakes?

A First Look at Planet Earth - Its Origins, Systems, and Tectonic Plates

Minerals

Igneous Rocks and Processes

Volcanoes and Volcanism

Weathering - the Breakdown of Rocks

Sedimentary Processes, Environments, and Rocks

Metamorphism and Metamorphic Rocks

Telling Time Geologically

Earth Structures - Folds, Faults, and Fabrics

The Earths Interior - Whats Going on Down There

Plate Tectonics and the Formation of the Earths Oceans

Continental Tectonics and the Formation of the Earths Continents

Mass Movement

Streams and Floods

Groundwater

Glaciers and Ice Ages

Deserts and the Work of Winds

Shores and Coastal Processes

Human Use of the Earths Resources Appendices Glossary

Filters

Exam 10: Earthquakes

Which of the following statements concerning moonquakes is NOT true?

All of the following statements describe the seismograph patterns of earthquakes monitored by the International Data Center EXCEPT:

Which of the following is NOT true of earthquake waves?

The lag between P- and S- wave arrival times can be converted to:

Critical facilities that must survive an earthquake to prevent a heavy toll of human life include:

Liquefaction during an earthquake primarily affects:

Earthquakes measuring 5 and 7 on the Richter scale differ in wave amplitude by:

Describe three of the theories that attempt to explain the cause of intraplate earthquakes.

Which of the following statements about earthquake depths and magnitudes is NOT true?

Explain why the Mercalli intensity scale does not measure earthquakes objectively.

What factors determine whether a particular building is susceptible to damage by an earthquake?

Which of the following statements about earthquakes is NOT true?

To locate the epicenter of an earthquake, a seismologist must determine all of the following EXCEPT:

Which of the following terms is NOT described correctly?

Japan is the site of about 15% of the Earth's seismic energy release because it is located:

An earthquake- induced seiche can best be described as:

Describe the fundamental principle by which a seismograph works.

All of the following are damaging effects of earthquakes EXCEPT:

Most earthquakes are caused by:

What do we know about moonquakes?

A First Look at Planet Earth - Its Origins, Systems, and Tectonic Plates

Minerals

Igneous Rocks and Processes

Volcanoes and Volcanism

Weathering - the Breakdown of Rocks

Sedimentary Processes, Environments, and Rocks

Metamorphism and Metamorphic Rocks

Telling Time Geologically

Earth Structures - Folds, Faults, and Fabrics

The Earths Interior - Whats Going on Down There

Plate Tectonics and the Formation of the Earths Oceans

Continental Tectonics and the Formation of the Earths Continents

Mass Movement

Streams and Floods

Groundwater

Glaciers and Ice Ages

Deserts and the Work of Winds

Shores and Coastal Processes

Human Use of the Earths Resources Appendices Glossary

Filters