Tectonic Plates and Earthquake Dynamics

What are the large sections of rock that make up the Earth's crust called?

• Continental shelves

• Mantle layers

• Tectonic plates

• Crustal blocks

What causes the Earth's tectonic plates to move?

• Wind currents

• Convection currents in the mantle

• Ocean tides

• Magnetic forces

What type of plate boundary is characterized by one plate sliding underneath another?

• Divergent boundary

• Transform boundary

• Conservative boundary

• Destructive (Convergent) boundary

What happens when tectonic plates that are stuck together suddenly release their built-up energy?

• A volcanic eruption

• A tsunami

• An earthquake

• A landslide

How much energy, in tonnes of TNT, is released by a magnitude 7.0 earthquake?

• About 10,000 tonnes

• About 15,000 tonnes

• About 500,000 tonnes

• About 30,000 tonnes

A magnitude 7.0 earthquake releases energy equivalent to how many Hiroshima nuclear bombs?

• 1 nuclear bomb

• 5 nuclear bombs

• 15 nuclear bombs

• 30 nuclear bombs

How does the energy from an earthquake travel through the ground?

• As heat

• As light

• As waves

• As sound

What natural phenomenon is used as an analogy to describe how the ground can ripple during an earthquake?

• A flag waving in the wind

• A boat moving through water

• Ripples in a pond

• A bouncing ball

What is the main problem buildings face during an earthquake if they are not earthquake-resistant?

• They become too heavy and sink into the ground.

• They crumble and collapse due to the ground shaking.

• They float away on the ripples of energy.

• They catch fire easily.

Why do people and objects appear to be thrown off balance during an earthquake?

• The air pressure changes suddenly.

• Strong winds push them around.

• Ripples of energy from the earthquake travel through the ground.

• They are trying to run away from the shaking.