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 lava released by a volcano

• the movement of plates

• the strength of an earthquake

• the weight of tectonic plates

An instrument that detects and records earthquakes.

• seismic wave

• seismic station

• seismograph

• seismogram

The best way to protect yourself in an earthquake is to

• run as fast as you can

• drop, cover and hold

• stop, drop and roll

• go into the basement

A vibration caused by an earthquake.

• seismic wave

• seismometer

• seismograph

• seismogram

A record written by an instrument in response to ground motions produced by an earthquake.

• seismic wave

• seismometer

• seismograph

• seismogram

Most earthquakes happen along the _________________.

• coast

• faults

• desert

• directions

Earthquakes under the water can cause ___________________.

• tornadoes

• tsunamis

• lightening

• hailstorms

What causes the buildup of energy that is released at a later time when an earthquake occurs?

• Heat from earth's core slowly melts the rocks found in the Earth's crust.

• Nuclear reactions in Earth's lower crust release electromagnetic waves.

• Jagged edges along a fault generate friction (heat) between two moving plates.

• According to the elastic rebound theory, rocks bend until their strength is exceeded.

Which scale would most likely be used to tell how much earthquake damage was done to homes and other buildings?

• Richter scale

• Magnitude scale

• Mercalli scale

• Intensity Scale