Earthquakes and Seismograph

Which ocean in the world is also known as the "Ring of Fire"

• Atlantic

• Indian

• Arctic

• Pacific

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

Earthquakes happen every day. Most are too small for humans to notice.

• True

• False

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

An instrument that detects and measures earthquakes is a 

• seismogram

• focus seismic map

• focus

• seismograph 

Answer explanation

A seismograph is the correct instrument that detects and measures earthquakes. It records the motion of the ground during seismic events, unlike a seismogram, which is the output produced by a seismograph.

The epicenter of an earthquake is

• The point below the surface where rock begins to break and the first motion occurs

• The seismic station closest to the earthquake

• The place where the greatest damage occurs

• The point on the surface directly above the focus

Answer explanation

The epicenter of an earthquake is defined as the point on the surface directly above the focus, where seismic waves first reach the surface. This is why the correct answer is the point on the surface directly above the focus.

Which travels fastest, always being the first detected by seismic stations?

• P waves

• S waves

Answer explanation

P waves, or primary waves, are the fastest seismic waves and are always the first to be detected by seismic stations. They travel through solids and liquids, making them the quickest to arrive after an earthquake.

Which type of wave is the first to arrive after an earthquake occurs?

• P Wave

• Rayleigh Wave

• S Wave

• Shear Wave

Answer explanation

The first waves to arrive after an earthquake are P Waves (Primary Waves). They are compressional waves that travel fastest through the Earth, making them the first to be detected by seismographs.

What is an instrument that detects and records waves produced by earthquakes? (This piece of equipment can measure the magnitude of an earthquake.)

• Epicenter

• Fault

• Seismogram

• Seismograph

Answer explanation

The correct answer is 'Seismograph', which is the instrument that detects and records seismic waves from earthquakes, allowing for the measurement of their magnitude.

Which scale measures the intensity of the ground movement?

• Mercalli Scale

• Richter Scale

• Seismogram Scale

• Bernoulli Scale

Answer explanation

The Richter Scale measures the intensity of ground movement during an earthquake, quantifying the energy released. In contrast, the Mercalli Scale assesses the effects and damage caused by the quake.

Which letter represents the movement created by the P Wave?  

• A

• B

• C

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-1

Which seismogram represents a city that is far from the epicenter of an earthquake?  

• New York, NY

• Nome, Alaska

• Guadalajara, Mexico

Answer explanation

Nome, Alaska is far from the earthquake's epicenter, resulting in a delayed and less intense seismogram compared to cities like New York or Guadalajara, which are closer and experience stronger shaking.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2