Fast and Curious: Natural Hazards (7th)

Front

What is the Richter magnitude scale?

Back

A numerical rating system that measures the energy, or magnitude, of the largest seismic waves produced by an earthquake.

Front

What is the Moment magnitude scale?

Back

A rating scale that measures the energy released by an earthquake, taking into account the size of the fault that breaks, the motion that occurs along the fault, and the strength of the rocks that break during an earthquake.

Front

What is liquefaction?

Back

The conversion of soil into a fluidlike mass during an earthquake or other seismic event.

Front

What is a flood?

Back

An event that occurs when a large volume of water covers land that is not normally under water.

Front

What are earthquakes?

Back

Vibrations produced when the force on rocks is great enough for them to break.

Front

What is a landslide?

Back

The movement of rock, earth, or debris down a slope, often triggered by heavy rainfall or earthquakes.

Front

What is a tsunami?

Back

A series of ocean waves caused by any large and sudden displacement of water, often due to underwater earthquakes.

Front

What is a hurricane?

Back

A large tropical storm system characterized by high winds and heavy rain.

Front

What is a drought?

Back

A prolonged period of abnormally low rainfall, leading to a shortage of water.

Front

What is the Modified Mercalli intensity scale?

Back

A scale that measures the intensity of an earthquake based on its observed effects on people, buildings, and the Earth's surface.