Earthquakes Unit Review

Earthquakes generate compressional waves [P-waves] and shear waves [S-waves]. Compared to the speed of shear waves in a given earth material, the speed of compressional waves is

• always faster

• always slower

• always the same

• sometimes faster and sometimes slower

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS4-1

What happens to P-waves and S-waves from an earthquake when they reach the outer core?

• S-waves are transmitted through the outer core, but P-waves are not transmitted.

• P-waves are transmitted through the outer core, but S-waves are not transmitted.

• Both P-waves and S-waves are transmitted through the outer core.

• Neither P-waves nor S-waves are transmitted through the outer core.

A huge undersea earthquake off the Alaskan coastline could produce a

• tsunami

• cyclone

• hurricane

• thunderstorm

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

The distance between an epicenter and seismograph’s location can be calculated by using the

• arrival time of the first P-wave

• difference in arrival times between P- and S- waves

• amplitude of the p-wave

• energy released by an earthquake

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS4-1

A seismic station recorded the P-waves, but no S-waves, from an earthquake because S-waves were

• absorbed by Earth’s outer core

• transmitted only through liquids

• weak and detected only at nearby locations

• not produced by this earthquake

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-2

Which evidence recorded at seismic stations following an earthquake supports the inference that Earth’s interior changes from solid rock to molten iron and nickel at the mantle-core boundary?

• P-waves arrive earlier than S-waves.

• P-waves and S-waves are both recorded at all stations.

• Only S-waves are recorded at all stations.

• Only P-waves are recorded on the opposite side of Earth.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS2-1

NGSS.HS-ESS2-3

Only P-waves were recorded at seismic station C because P-waves travel

• only through Earth’s interior, and S-waves travel only on Earth’s surface

• fast enough to penetrate the core, and S-waves travel too slowly

• through iron and nickel, while S-waves cannot

• through liquids, while S-waves cannot

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-2

Waves move out through the ground from the ..........

• rift
• hypocenter
• epicenter
• fault line

The epicenter of an earthquake is

• The point below the surface where rock begins to break and the first motion occurs
• The seismic station closest to the earthquake
• The place where the greatest damage occurs
• The point on the surface directly above the focus

The Richter scale measures:

• the amount of radon gas released
• the movement of plates
• the strength of an earthquake
• the weight of tectonic plates