Which data is most helpful in predicting volcanic activity?

• sea surface temperatures and wind speed

• historic information about landslides and flooding

• satellite data about atmospheric conditions

• frequency of earthquakes and stability of land surface

A scientist wants to track a hurricane and predict where it will go next. Which tools are best for making preditions about hurricanes?

• thermometers and GPS

• geologic maps and tiltmeters

• satellites and computer models

• weather ballons and seismometers

A scientist used a model to predict the path of a hurricane. The hurricane followed a similar path but did not follow the exact path that was predicted. How does this example demonstrate a limitation of models?

• Models cannot be used to predict things

• Models cannot account for how every factor may suddenly change

• Models can be used to predict weather events before the event occurs

• Models can be used to show only physical structures, not events such as hurricanes

A town is deciding where to build a new road. There have been landslides in this town in the past. Which information will help the engineers decide where to put the road to avoid damage due to landslides?

• the number of houses in different areas

• the steepness of the gorund in different areas

• weather predictions about amount of rainfall in different states

• the number of cars expected to use the road at different times of the day

The map shows the epicenters of some major earthquakes in 2003. Based on this information, on which continent is an earthquake least likely to happen in the future?

• Asia

• Africa

• South America

• North America

The weather has been warmer than usual in a town in California. A student wants to know if warmer weather means that an earthquake is more likely to happen. Which statement about earthquakes and weather is true?

• Earthquakes and weather are not related.

• Earthquakes cannot happen in cold weather.

• Atmospheric conditions cause both earthquakes and weather.

• The movement of tectonic plates causes both earthquakes and weather.

The diagram shows how layers of information can be combined to create one map. Based on the layers present on the map, what could this map best be used for?

• to study the effect erosion has had on the path of the river

• to measure the distance from the town library to the school

• to compare the elevation of one town with the elevation of another town

• to determine which areas and streets would be most at risk for flooding

Analyzing tsunami data helps to understand the causes and effects of tsunamis. It also helps to determine where future tsunamis are likely to occur. ______________ data are compiled from past tsunamis.

• monitoring

• historical

The data can be mapped to discover patterns in the locations of tsunamis. _____________ data come from instruments designed to detect earthquakes or eruptions that might lead to a tsunami.

• monitoring

• historical

Monitoring weather conditions could help scientists make predictions about which of the following hazards? Select three (3).

• volcanic eruptions

• tornadoes

• floods

• hurricanes

• tsunamis

Answer explanation