Earthquake Quiz

What is the most damaging type of seismic wave?

• P wave

• S wave

• L wave

• T wave

What causes an earthquake?

• Tectonic plates moving past each other

• Undersea landslide

• All of the above

• Volcanic eruption

What is the part of the Earth that we live on called?

• Mantle

• Lithosphere

• Core

• Crust

How thick is the Earth's crust under the ocean?

• 50 kilometers

• 5 kilometers

• 10 kilometers

• 20 kilometers

What is the rate at which tectonic plates slide past each other?

• 1-2 cm/year

• 3-5 cm/year

• 6-8 cm/year

• 10-12 cm/year

What is the name of the scale developed by Charles Richter?

• Earthquake Scale

• Seismic Scale

• Richter Scale

• Moment Magnitude Scale

What is the most powerful earthquake ever measured?

• 1964 Alaska earthquake

• 2011 Tohoku earthquake

• 1960 Chile earthquake

• 2004 Sumatra earthquake

What is the popular name for the area around the edge of the Pacific Ocean known for its volcanic activity?

• Volcanic Belt

• Ring of Fire

• Pacific Rim

• Earthquake Zone

What is the Alpine Himalayan orogenic belt responsible for?

• Formation of mountain ranges

• Desert formation

• Volcanic eruptions

• Tsunamis

What is the term for the very rapid release of energy felt on the Earth's surface?

• Seismic wave

• Earthquake

• Tectonic shift

• Volcanic eruption