Understanding Earthquakes and Their Impact

Which of the following best describes the focus of a seismograph?

• It measures the temperature of the Earth's core.

• It records the motion of the ground during an earthquake.

• It predicts the exact time of future earthquakes.

• It measures the speed of tectonic plate movement.

What is the primary cause of earthquakes?

• Volcanic eruptions

• Tidal forces

• Sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust

• Changes in atmospheric pressure

Which of the following statements is true about the Richter scale?

• It measures the depth of an earthquake.

• It measures the magnitude of an earthquake.

• It measures the duration of an earthquake.

• It measures the speed of seismic waves.

Identify the type of seismic wave that travels fastest through the Earth.

• Surface waves

• Secondary waves (S-waves)

• Primary waves (P-waves)

• Love waves

Which of the following is a common effect of an earthquake on the Earth's surface?

• Formation of new tectonic plates

• Creation of new oceans

• Ground shaking and surface rupture

• Increase in Earth's rotation speed

What is the term for the point on the Earth's surface directly above the focus of an earthquake?

• Epicenter

• Hypocenter

• Fault line

• Seismic zone

Which of the following is a method used to measure the intensity of an earthquake?

• Mercalli Intensity Scale

• Beaufort Scale

• Fujita Scale

• Saffir-Simpson Scale

What is the primary difference between P-waves and S-waves?

• P-waves travel only through liquids, while S-waves travel through solids.

• P-waves are slower than S-waves.

• P-waves can travel through both solids and liquids, while S-waves can only travel through solids.

• P-waves cause more damage than S-waves.

Which of the following factors does NOT affect the magnitude of an earthquake?

• Depth of the earthquake focus

• Distance from the epicenter

• Amount of energy released

• Type of fault movement

What is the primary purpose of earthquake-resistant building design?

• To prevent all damage during an earthquake

• To ensure buildings are aesthetically pleasing

• To minimize structural damage and protect human life

• To increase the cost of construction