Catastrophic Events

A sudden shift in the earth's crust is called a...

• Earthquake 
• Volcano 
• Tsunami
• Flood

A spinning funnel cloud which causes much destruction is called a...

• Tornado 
• Earthquake
• Tsunami 
• Hurricane 

A large wave created by an underwater earthquake is called a...

• Earthquake 
• Hurricane
• Tsunami 
• Flood

Lava or ash spewing from a mountain vent.

• Earthquake
• Flood
• Drought
• Volcano

A hurricane hits a coastal prairie and destroys the habitat. Years later there is an appearance of small plants with rapidly spreading roots on newly formed coastal sand dunes. This vegetation describes--

• a microhabitat

• primary succession

• secondary succession

• biodiversity

Tornadoes can negatively affect an ecosystem when

• the saltwater they bring kills off burrowing insects
• their strong winds uproot many of the important plants
• the rise in water level they produce introduces harmful salt
• they bring higher temperatures favored by birds

Which of the following correctly matches the catastrophic event with its impact?

• Heavy flooding increases the number of species in an area.

• A tornado causes seawater to move onto the coast.

• A hurricane increases erosion and makes a beach smaller.

• A wildfire increases the number of habitats for organisms.

Floods happen when_________

• too much snow and winds are present
• too much rain in a short period of time
• too much rain in mountains
• too much rain inside a cave

A fast-spinning column of air that stretches down to the Earth's surface is called _____

• a hurricane
• a blizzard
• a tornado
• a drought

Storms with high winds and heavy rain that form over warm ocean waters are called _____

• hurricanes
• blizzards
• tornadoes
• droughts