Causes of Earthquakes

How do scientists predict earthquakes?

• Earthquakes happen at regular intervals, so scientists keep records and check the calendar.

• Scientists cannot predict earthquakes. They can only determine where earthquakes are most likely to happen based on past experience.

• Scientists use a device called a seismograph to forecast earthquakes based on rumblings beneath Earth's surface.

• Scientists measure seismic waves before they turn into earthquakes.

Which of the following is a type of stress?

Select 3 that apply.

• shear

• compression

• tension

• contraction

A strike-slip fault is the result of what type of stress?

• compression

• extension

• shear

• strain

Where does compression typically occur?

• divergent boundaries

• transform boundaries

• convergent boundaries

• all of the above

Which of the following best describes how scientists can map out the locations of tectonic plate boundaries?

• Scientists use aerial photography to see tectonic plate boundaries.

• Scientists can use satellite imagery to see tectonic plate boundaries.

• Scientists track where earthquakes and volcanoes have occurred most frequently throughout history.

• Scientists are unable to map out the location of tectonic plate boundaries.

What type of stress results from rocks being stretched?

• tension

• strain

• compression

• shear

What type of stress results from rocks being pushed together?

• strain

• compression

• tension

• shear

The Pacific Ocean basin has a lot of earthquakes because it is surrounded by _____.

• transform plate boundaries

• divergent plate boundaries

• convergent and transform plate boundaries

• seafloor spreading

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

According to the elastic rebound theory, what happens to the rock when an earthquake occurs?

• rocks are permanently deformed

• rocks are melted

• rock snaps back to its original shape

• none of the aboverubbrurubberband

When compression and folding occur on a large-enough scale, massive sections of crust can form what feature?

• new seafloor

• rift zones

• mid-ocean ridges

• folded mountains

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2