Question 1

What commonly causes severe damage in single-story frame (wood construction)houses in an earthquake?

Accepted Answer

A)  They bounce up and down so much that the internal plaster or sheetrock crumbles. 
B)  They bounce up and down so much that the nails pull out of the wood supports. 
C)  The shaking shatters the windows, so the glass cuts up everything. 
D)  They shake off their foundations. 
E)  They totally collapse. 
A)  They bounce up and down so much that the internal plaster or sheetrock crumbles. 
B)  They bounce up and down so much that the nails pull out of the wood supports. 
C)  The shaking shatters the windows, so the glass cuts up everything. 
D)  They shake off their foundations. 
E)  They totally collapse. D

Question 2

It is advisable to keep well away from an old brick building during an earthquake.Why?

Accepted Answer

A)  Old brick walls are generally not well anchored to the ground and often topple over. 
B)  The ornamental brick of the walls is not firmly attached to the main structure of the building, and it easily separates and falls. 
C)  The frequency of earthquake shaking matches the frequency of flexure of brick walls; they buckle in the middle and fall. 
D)  The mortar in old brick walls is generally crumbly, permitting groups of bricks to shake out and fall. 
E)  Overhanging brick parapets often break off and fall. 
A)  Old brick walls are generally not well anchored to the ground and often topple over. 
B)  The ornamental brick of the walls is not firmly attached to the main structure of the building, and it easily separates and falls. 
C)  The frequency of earthquake shaking matches the frequency of flexure of brick walls; they buckle in the middle and fall. 
D)  The mortar in old brick walls is generally crumbly, permitting groups of bricks to shake out and fall. 
E)  Overhanging brick parapets often break off and fall. E

Question 3

Which of the following statements about the 1994 Northridge earthquake in the Los Angeles area is NOT true?

Accepted Answer

A)  The earthquake severed gas lines and caused fires. 
B)  Its Richter Magnitude of 6.7 is considered moderate. 
C)  Highway interchanges that collapsed in 1971 withstood the shaking. 
D)  It was a blind thrust fault tens of miles from the San Andreas Fault. 
E)  Unbraced ground-floor garages of apartment buildings collapsed. 
A)  The earthquake severed gas lines and caused fires. 
B)  Its Richter Magnitude of 6.7 is considered moderate. 
C)  Highway interchanges that collapsed in 1971 withstood the shaking. 
D)  It was a blind thrust fault tens of miles from the San Andreas Fault. 
E)  Unbraced ground-floor garages of apartment buildings collapsed. C

Question 4

The double-deck freeway at the east edge of San Francisco Bay collapsed in the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake.Why?

Accepted Answer

A)  It was too tall for its height. 
B)  It lacked steel reinforcing bars. 
C)  Strong shaking lasted for more than the 30 minutes it was designed for. 
D)  It was built across soft mud. 
E)  Water from San Francisco Bay rotted the foundation material, weakening it. 
A)  It was too tall for its height. 
B)  It lacked steel reinforcing bars. 
C)  Strong shaking lasted for more than the 30 minutes it was designed for. 
D)  It was built across soft mud. 
E)  Water from San Francisco Bay rotted the foundation material, weakening it.

Question 5

For years before the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake south of San Francisco,earthquake seismologists had been concerned about the possibility of a significant earthquake on the San Andreas Fault in that particular area.Other than the fact that it was on the San Andreas Fault,an area that has seen earthquakes in historic time,what lead them to that conclusion?

Accepted Answer

It was a seismic gap,an area o

Question 6

Between developed and developing countries,why do developing countries often suffer higher rates of casualties from earthquakes?

Accepted Answer

Developing nations do not enfo

Question 7

What is the approximate frequency of shaking,or back-and-forth sway,of a typical 2-story building?

Accepted Answer

5-10 back-and-forth

Question 8

Why are strong concrete structures sometimes destroyed in a large earthquake,whereas nearby homes built with frame construction (wood lumber)are little damaged?

Accepted Answer

Concrete is rigid,so it will c

Question 9

What is ineffective in reducing the possibility of earthquake's damage to a building?

Accepted Answer

A)  using base isolation pads between the building and its foundation 
B)  using diagonal bracing in the walls 
C)  adding sheets of plywood to the walls 
D)  anchoring the building to its foundation 
E)  loading the ground floor with heavy weights to prevent it from moving so much 
A)  using base isolation pads between the building and its foundation 
B)  using diagonal bracing in the walls 
C)  adding sheets of plywood to the walls 
D)  anchoring the building to its foundation 
E)  loading the ground floor with heavy weights to prevent it from moving so much

Question 10

Buildings of different heights shake back and forth at different frequencies.Which shake at higher frequencies,short buildings or tall buildings?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Buildings of different heights shake back and...

Question 11

Which is a major fault that often shows a progressive migration along its length with time?

Accepted Answer

A)  the North Anatolian Fault in Turkey 
B)  the San Andreas Fault in California 
C)  the Alpine Fault in New Zealand 
D)  the Haicheng Fault in China 
E)  the New Madrid Fault in Missouri 
A)  the North Anatolian Fault in Turkey 
B)  the San Andreas Fault in California 
C)  the Alpine Fault in New Zealand 
D)  the Haicheng Fault in China 
E)  the New Madrid Fault in Missouri

Question 12

The USGS has asked you to write a report on past seismic activity along a specific fault.What will you look for and observe in the field?

Accepted Answer

Dig trenches across the fault and examin

Question 13

Since buildings and other structures cause most deaths in earthquakes,what types of construction or design are most likely to cause building collapse?

Accepted Answer

Unbraced (weak)ground-floor ga

Question 14

You are the governor of California and the USGS has just warned you that they have predicted a magnitude 7 earthquake for the San Francisco Bay area that may occur within the next seven days.What will you do? Keep in mind that predictions are not always accurate or precise.

Accepted Answer

Weigh the economic,social,and

Question 15

Which of the following statements is NOT true?

Accepted Answer

A)  Shattering glass is one of the most common causes of injuries in earthquakes. 
B)  During the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, broken glass rained down on the street in downtown San Francisco. 
C)  Safety glass is required in all windows of newly constructed commercial buildings. 
D)  Glass systems in modern high-rise buildings are designed to accommodate routine sway. 
E)  Safety glass in some commercial building is similar to that used in cars. 
A)  Shattering glass is one of the most common causes of injuries in earthquakes. 
B)  During the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, broken glass rained down on the street in downtown San Francisco. 
C)  Safety glass is required in all windows of newly constructed commercial buildings. 
D)  Glass systems in modern high-rise buildings are designed to accommodate routine sway. 
E)  Safety glass in some commercial building is similar to that used in cars.

Question 16

What is a seismic gap?

Accepted Answer

A)  a part of an active fault that has not had recent earthquakes 
B)  a long time between earthquakes on a fault 
C)  a pronounced crevice along a fault 
D)  a gaping crack created by fault movement 
E)  an earthquake that causes no vibration of the ground 
A)  a part of an active fault that has not had recent earthquakes 
B)  a long time between earthquakes on a fault 
C)  a pronounced crevice along a fault 
D)  a gaping crack created by fault movement 
E)  an earthquake that causes no vibration of the ground

Question 17

Buildings sway back and forth in an earthquake.A 20-story building oscillates how often?

Accepted Answer

A)  5 times per second 
B)  once per second 
C)  once per 5 seconds 
D)  once per minute 
E)  once per 5 minutes 
A)  5 times per second 
B)  once per second 
C)  once per 5 seconds 
D)  once per minute 
E)  once per 5 minutes

Question 18

Which of the following states has the lowest seismic risk?

Accepted Answer

A)  Arkansas 
B)  Minnesota 
C)  Missouri 
D)  Illinois 
E)  South Carolina 
A)  Arkansas 
B)  Minnesota 
C)  Missouri 
D)  Illinois 
E)  South Carolina

Question 19

Where in the United States and Canada are strong earthquakes most frequent?

Accepted Answer

A)  in the Rocky Mountains 
B)  just off the coast of Oregon, Washington, and southwestern Canada 
C)  along the western fringe of California (onshore) 
D)  in northern Michigan 
E)  along the southern half of the east coast of United States 
A)  in the Rocky Mountains 
B)  just off the coast of Oregon, Washington, and southwestern Canada 
C)  along the western fringe of California (onshore) 
D)  in northern Michigan 
E)  along the southern half of the east coast of United States

Question 20

Which of the following statements about seismicity in Los Angeles and the Transverse Ranges is NOT true?

Accepted Answer

A)  The number of observed moderate earthquakes is less than expected based on the overall slip rate. 
B)  Sections of the San Andreas Fault in this region have seismic gaps. 
C)  The average interval between large earthquakes along the San Andreas Fault is 160 years. 
D)  There are several earthquake generating faults in the region. 
E)  Moderate earthquakes in this area have an average recurrence interval of 15 years. 
A)  The number of observed moderate earthquakes is less than expected based on the overall slip rate. 
B)  Sections of the San Andreas Fault in this region have seismic gaps. 
C)  The average interval between large earthquakes along the San Andreas Fault is 160 years. 
D)  There are several earthquake generating faults in the region. 
E)  Moderate earthquakes in this area have an average recurrence interval of 15 years.

What commonly causes severe damage in single-story frame (wood construction)houses in an earthquake?

It is advisable to keep well away from an old brick building during an earthquake.Why?

Which of the following statements about the 1994 Northridge earthquake in the Los Angeles area is NOT true?

The double-deck freeway at the east edge of San Francisco Bay collapsed in the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake.Why?

Between developed and developing countries,why do developing countries often suffer higher rates of casualties from earthquakes?

What is the approximate frequency of shaking,or back-and-forth sway,of a typical 2-story building?

Why are strong concrete structures sometimes destroyed in a large earthquake,whereas nearby homes built with frame construction (wood lumber)are little damaged?

What is ineffective in reducing the possibility of earthquake's damage to a building?

Buildings of different heights shake back and forth at different frequencies.Which shake at higher frequencies,short buildings or tall buildings?

Which is a major fault that often shows a progressive migration along its length with time?

The USGS has asked you to write a report on past seismic activity along a specific fault.What will you look for and observe in the field?

Since buildings and other structures cause most deaths in earthquakes,what types of construction or design are most likely to cause building collapse?

You are the governor of California and the USGS has just warned you that they have predicted a magnitude 7 earthquake for the San Francisco Bay area that may occur within the next seven days.What will you do? Keep in mind that predictions are not always accurate or precise.

Which of the following statements is NOT true?

What is a seismic gap?

Buildings sway back and forth in an earthquake.A 20-story building oscillates how often?

Which of the following states has the lowest seismic risk?

Where in the United States and Canada are strong earthquakes most frequent?

Which of the following statements about seismicity in Los Angeles and the Transverse Ranges is NOT true?

Natural Hazards and Disasters

Plate Tectonics and Physical Hazards

Earthquakes and Their Causes

Tsunami

Volcanoes: Tectonic Environments and Eruptions

Volcanoes: Hazards and Mitigation

Landslides and Other Downslope Movements

Sinkholes, Land Subsidence, and Swelling Soils

Weather, Thunderstorms, And Tornadoes

Climate Change

Streams And Flood Processes

Floods And Human Interactions

Waves,Beaches,And Coastal Erosion

Hurricanes and Nor’easters

Wildfires

Impact of Asteroids and Comets

The Future: Where Do We Go From Here?

Filters

Exam 4: Earthquake Prediction and Mitigation

What commonly causes severe damage in single-story frame (wood construction)houses in an earthquake?

It is advisable to keep well away from an old brick building during an earthquake.Why?

Which of the following statements about the 1994 Northridge earthquake in the Los Angeles area is NOT true?

The double-deck freeway at the east edge of San Francisco Bay collapsed in the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake.Why?

Between developed and developing countries,why do developing countries often suffer higher rates of casualties from earthquakes?

What is the approximate frequency of shaking,or back-and-forth sway,of a typical 2-story building?

Why are strong concrete structures sometimes destroyed in a large earthquake,whereas nearby homes built with frame construction (wood lumber)are little damaged?

What is ineffective in reducing the possibility of earthquake's damage to a building?

Buildings of different heights shake back and forth at different frequencies.Which shake at higher frequencies,short buildings or tall buildings?

Which is a major fault that often shows a progressive migration along its length with time?

The USGS has asked you to write a report on past seismic activity along a specific fault.What will you look for and observe in the field?

Since buildings and other structures cause most deaths in earthquakes,what types of construction or design are most likely to cause building collapse?

You are the governor of California and the USGS has just warned you that they have predicted a magnitude 7 earthquake for the San Francisco Bay area that may occur within the next seven days.What will you do? Keep in mind that predictions are not always accurate or precise.

Which of the following statements is NOT true?

What is a seismic gap?

Buildings sway back and forth in an earthquake.A 20-story building oscillates how often?

Which of the following states has the lowest seismic risk?

Where in the United States and Canada are strong earthquakes most frequent?

Which of the following statements about seismicity in Los Angeles and the Transverse Ranges is NOT true?

Natural Hazards and Disasters

Plate Tectonics and Physical Hazards

Earthquakes and Their Causes

Tsunami

Volcanoes: Tectonic Environments and Eruptions

Volcanoes: Hazards and Mitigation

Landslides and Other Downslope Movements

Sinkholes, Land Subsidence, and Swelling Soils

Weather, Thunderstorms, And Tornadoes

Climate Change

Streams And Flood Processes

Floods And Human Interactions

Waves,Beaches,And Coastal Erosion

Hurricanes and Nor’easters

Wildfires

Impact of Asteroids and Comets

The Future: Where Do We Go From Here?

Filters