Natural Hazards/Disasters Study Guide

Using the chart, answer the following question: In 2011, there was what scientists call a Super Outbreak of tornadoes. It was the costliest and one of the deadliest tornado outbreaks ever recorded in a three-day period. Of the 360 recorded tornadoes, four of the tornadoes were classified as a ___ rating, with the highest winds peaking at 340 km/h (210 mph).

• EF1

• EF3

• EF4

• EF5

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

Government agencies study natural disasters such as volcanic eruptions to make decisions about planning for natural disasters. The triangles on the map show the locations of potentially active volcanoes in the western United States. Use the map to answer the following question: ​Which statement is correct regarding the dangers of volcanic eruptions in the western United States?

• There is less danger of a volcanic eruption in the near future in Salt Lake City, Utah, than there is in Bend, Oregon.

• There is more danger of a volcanic eruption in the near future in San Diego, California, than there is in Seattle, Washington.

• Colorado should have a stricter volcano emergency plan than Washington State has.

• Utah should have a stricter volcano emergency plan than California has.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

Which tool can meteorologist use to best predict local severe weather, such as tornadoes and thunderstorms?

• Anemometers

• Doppler radar

• GOES satellites

• NOAA satellites

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

A tiltmeter is an instrument that is used to measure changes in the tilt of the ground. The ground near volcanoes moves before a volcano erupts, so scientists use tiltmeters to try to predict when a volcano may erupt. The map shows a city near a volcano. Scientists want to place a tiltmeter in a location where people can be quickly alerted when the volcano is going to erupt. Which location for the tiltmeter is best, and why?

• Location A, since it will measure only the strongest movements from the volcano.

• Location B, since it will measure volcano movements closest to the city.

• Location C, since it will measure movements along the river that separates the volcano from the city.

• Location D, since it will measure movements closest to the volcano.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

The National Weather Service (NWS) issues hurricane watches and warnings and projects the paths of hurricanes like the one shown below. NWS bases its projections on satellite data and computer models from past storm data. What is the effect of hurricane research?

• technology has helped scientists control weather patterns

• research helps meteorologists know where all storms start

• scientists are able to help people escape dangerous situations

• satellites and other techniques help scientists avoid the formation of storms

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

At which location would earthquakes be least likely to occur?

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

How are tsunamis, earthquakes and tectonic plate movement related?

• Earthquakes cause plate movement, which causes tsunamis.

• Plate movement causes earthquakes, which cause tsunamis.

• Plate movement causes tsunamis, which cause earthquakes.

• Tsunamis cause earthquakes, which cause plate movement.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

This map provides historical data on storm surges associated with hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico. A storm surge is a rise of water that can be as high as 5 meters or more. To protect citizens from storm surges, cities sometimes build levees, walls that can hold back the water. Using the information provided, which city would most likely be able to protect its citizens with a levee that is only 3 meters in height?

• Galveston

• New Iberia

• Lake Charles

• Bay Saint Louis

Tags

NGSS.MS-ETS1-1

NGSS.MS-ETS1-2

The table provides data on the earthquakes recorded for four different cities over a ten year period. Assuming the data indicates patterns that will continue, which city will most likely experience an earthquake of a magnitude of 5.0 or higher in the next year or two?

• City W

• City X

• City Y

• City Z

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

 Based on the information in Map 1 and Figure 1 above, which statement best describes why the flow of water out of the Mississippi River should be monitored over time to predict tsunamis in the Gulf of Mexico?

• Changes in the water temperature at the outlet of the Mississippi River could trigger a tsunami once water enters the Gulf of Mexico.

• Sediment in the Mississippi River water could build up near the Mississippi Canyon ledge and trigger a landslide that causes a tsunami.

• A reduction in the quality of the Mississippi 0 River water could trigger an earthquake that causes a tsunami.

• Large amounts of water flowing out of the 0 Mississippi River could trigger a tsunami once water enters the Gulf of Mexico.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2