Earthquakes Quiz

What is an earthquake?

• A sudden motion or shaking of Earth as rocks break along an extensive surface within Earth

• A sudden release of energy as rock ruptures causing intense vibrations

• A fracture or fracture zone in rock, along which rock masses have moved relative to one another parallel to the fracture

• A scientist who studies seismic waves and the information they provide about the structure of the interior of Earth

How are seismic waves generated by an earthquake?

• The sudden release of energy as rock ruptures causes intense vibrations

• The stored energy is released through elastic rebound

• Large-scale forces within Earth's crust push the fault blocks in opposite directions

• The movements of Earth's plates cause most of these forces

Which seismic wave arrives first at a location away from the focus?

• Secondary waves (S waves)

• Surface waves

• Primary waves (P waves)

• Compressional waves

Which seismic wave moves rock material at right angles to the direction of its motion?

• Surface waves

• Secondary waves (S waves)

• Primary waves (P waves)

• Compressional waves

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-5

Which seismic wave travels along Earth's surface and is the most damaging?

• Compressional waves

• Primary waves (P waves)

• Secondary waves (S waves)

• Surface waves

Why do rocks in a fault zone become 'locked' and do not slip continuously?

• The blocks suddenly slip for some distance against each other

• The shear strength of the rock is overcome by the forces

• New minerals tend to be deposited along the fault

• There is a lot of friction along the fault plane

Which kind of seismic wave can travel only through solids?

• Secondary waves (S waves)

• Primary waves (P waves)

• Compressional waves

• Surface waves

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-2

Which kind of seismic wave can travel through solids and liquids?

• Secondary waves (S waves)

• Primary waves (P waves)

• Translational waves

• Surface waves

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-2