Earthquakes: Earth in Motion Quiz

What is the primary cause of earthquakes?

• Volcanic eruptions

• Tectonic plate movements

• Weather changes

• Human activities

Which type of plate boundary involves plates pushing together?

• Divergent

• Transform

• Convergent

• Subduction

What type of stress involves squeezing forces in rocks?

• Tension

• Shear

• Bending

• Compression

What is the point on the Earth's surface directly above the earthquake's origin called?

• Focus

• Epicenter

• Hypocenter

• Seismic point

Which type of seismic wave travels through all states of matter?

• L-waves

• R-waves

• P-waves

• S-waves

Which seismic wave is known for its side-to-side horizontal motion?

• R-waves

• L-waves

• P-waves

• S-waves

Which tool was used in 132 CE to detect the direction of seismic waves?

• Chinese seismoscope

• Richter scale

• Digital seismometer

• Seismograph

What does the Moment Magnitude Scale measure?

• Wave amplitude

• Earthquake duration

• Seismic wave speed

• Total energy released

How much more energy is released with each step increase in magnitude?

• 32 times

• 20 times

• 10 times

• 50 times

Which region in Virginia is most seismically active?

• Northern Virginia

• Western Virginia

• Central Virginia

• Eastern Virginia