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WorksheetsEarth's Natural Hazards
Total questions: 15
Worksheet time: 8mins
A scientist used a model to predict the path of a hurricane. The hurricane followed a similar path but did not follow the exact path that was predicted. How does this example demonstrate a limitation of models?
Models cannot be used to predict things
Models cannot account for how every factor may suddenly change.
Models can be used to predict weather events before the event occurs.
Models can be used to only show physical structures, not events such as hurricanes.
During the year 2003, the number of earthquakes that occurred was higher than usual. The map shows the locations of some of these earthquakes.
Which question does the information on this map help answer?
How often do earthquakes happen?
When will the next earthquake happen?
Where are earthquakes likely in the future?
What will be the strength of the next earthquake?
A hurricane destroyed a coastal town. Afterward, the town was rebuilt. Which term describes the rebuilding process after a natural disaster?
response
recovery
mitigation
preparation
Scientists and engineers work together to try to reduce the damage from natural hazards. Which term is used to describe this process?
mitigation
technology
scientific method
controlling variables
Engineers have been asked to develop a plan to reduce the effects of hurricanes on a coastal community. Which is the first step engineers should take when developing a plan to reduce the effects of a natural hazard?
identify a need
propose a solution
evaluate a solution
determine criteria and constraints
Engineers are designing a bridge that will better withstand earthquake forces. What is the process called when engineers use a computer to see what happens to their design during an earthquake?
variables
modeling
prediction
navigation
A scientist is constructing a device that will predict exactly where hurricanes will travel. This device could save many lives but will be extremely expensive. Which term describes the high cost of this device?
benefit
criteria
constraint
technology
A hurricane was predicted and people were asked to evacuate from an area. The area experienced a strong hurricane. Which description of damage is most typical for this type of natural disaster?
lightning damaged many buildings
air quality became unsafe for many people
buildings and bridges collapsed without warning
many structures were damaged by flooding and wind
Alicia wants to buy a house. She does not want to buy a house in an area where earthquakes and flooding are common. Which information would help her most in choosing where to buy a house?
a map that includes elevation of land and location of faults
a map that shows typical rainfall and location of volcanic activity
a graph of the number of earthquakes and floods in the last ten years
a graph of how much damage is caused by earthquakes compared with floods
Natural hazards can cause a variety of problems. Which type of destruction can be caused only by volcanic activity?
Choose the correct answer.
damage from flooding and wind
erosion of land along coasts and rivers
sudden crumbling of buildings and chimneys
areas being covered by ash and concrete-like mudslides
Which event can produce an earthquake?
the crash of tsunamis against a shoreline
convection of hot rock deep within the mantle
movement of tectonic plates along a boundary
the violent shaking of sections of the lithosphere
A scientist wants to track a hurricane and predict where it will go next. Which tools are best for making predictions about hurricanes?
thermometers and GPS
geologic maps and tiltmeters
satellites and computer models
weather balloons and seismometers
The map shows the epicenters of some major earthquakes of 2003.
Based on this information, on which continent is an earthquake least likely to happen in the future?
Asia
Africa
South America
North America
A town is deciding where to build a new road. There have been landslides in this town in the past. Which information will help the engineers decide where to put the road to avoid damage due to landslides?
the number of houses in different areas
the steepness of the ground in different areas
weather predictions about amount of rainfall in different states
the number of cars expected to use the road at different times of day
The weather has been warmer than usual in a town in California. A student wants to know if warmer weather means that an earthquake is more likely to happen. Which statement about earthquakes and weather is true?
Earthquakes and weather are not related.
Earthquakes cannot happen in cold weather.
Atmospheric conditions cause both earthquakes and weather.
The movement of tectonic plates causes both earthquakes and weather.
