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Transform Boundaries / Earthquakes

Total questions: 15

Worksheet time: 8mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

The composition of Earth's interior affects

a)

how long an earthquake will last

b)

the speed and direction of seismic waves

c)

the location of an earthquake's focus

2.

Earthquakes generally occur at plate boundaries, where

a)

stress on rocks is greatest

b)

the most rock is found

c)

stress on rocks is low

3.

To find the distance to an earthquake's epicenter, scientists

a)

chart the lag time between preshocks and aftershocks

b)

use radio wave detection devices

c)

analyze the arrival times of the P waves and the S waves

4.

To locate the epicenter of earthquakes, scientists use computers to

a)

Analyze hypotheses and theories

b)

perform triangulations based on data from seismograph stations

c)

detect vibrations

5.

If you are in a car during an earthquake, you should

a)

drive toward a bridge

b)

stop the car in a safe place

c)

get out and run!

6.

What happens to tsunamis as they move toward shore?

a)

They die out

b)

They increase in height

c)

They decrease in height

7.

During a major earthquake, buildings

a)

always remain standing

b)

do not move

c)

may sway or collapse

8.

Which method is NOT used to predict earthquakes?

a)

detect changes in rock

b)

monitor natural gas seepage

c)

assess building damage

9.

At what location does the first motion of an earthquake occur?

a)

the focus

b)

the seismic gap

c)

the mantle

10.

A foreshock is

a)

a major earthquake

b)

a small earthquake

c)

another name for seismic gap

11.

Why do earthquakes usually occur at plate boundaries?

a)

The rock on the edges of tectonic plates is soft and gives in easily to various pressures

b)

Rock in environments near tectonic plate boundaries experience great stress

c)

The boundaries between tectonic plates have been seismically active for millions of years

12.

What is the epicenter of an earthquake?

a)

The location along a fault where the first motion occurs

b)

a seismic wave that travels along the surface of Earth

c)

the point on Earth's surface directly above the earthquake's focus

13.

Which of the following can affect how a building responds to seismic waves?

a)

the type of roof a building has

b)

the type of ground beneath the building

c)

the type of electrical system the building has

14.

What is elastic rebound?

a)

the sudden return of deformed rock to its undeformed shape

b)

the gradual return of deformed rock to its undeformed shape

c)

the sudden return of undeformed rock to its deformed shape

15.

Which of the following do scientists study in their efforts to forecast earthquakes?

a)

seismic gaps, rock changes, foreshocks

b)

bird migration, animal behavior patterns, human behavior patterns

c)

the solar system, air testing, rock samples