Definitions
A fault in which the hanging wall slides down the footwall
normal fault
seismic surface waves that are detected last and move earth particles in an elliptical pattern
Rayleigh waves
The moment magnitude scale measures the intensity of an earthquake
False it measures the magnitude of an earthquake
Where are earthquakes most likely to occur
Along plate boundaries
which of the following represents a good strategy for constructing buildings in an area prone to earthquakes?
They should move with the earth
a fault in which two fault blocks move past each other horizontally
strike-slip fault
an instrument that measures and records earthquake waves
seismograph
False, Earth's crust is in nearly constant motion
which of the following can cause an earthquake:
A shifting fault, a volcano, the detonation of a nuclear device or all of the above
all of the above
what do seismographs record?
seismic waves
the point inside the earth where an earthquake begins
focus
the slow, almost continuous movement of rock along a fault
fault creep
Earthquakes with deep focus cause the most severe damage
False, earthquakes with a shallow focus usually cause the most severe damage
Where do earthquakes with the greatest magnitude usually happen?
70 km below
70-300 km below
300 km below or all of the above
300km below the surface
explain the difference between intensity and magnitude
intensity measures the effects on earth's surface
a measurement of the strength of an earthquake
magnitude
Where do the most dangerous effects of an earthquake occur?
at the epicenter
Surface waves cause the most damage during an earthquake
True
where do earthquakes with low magnitudes typically occur?
at convergent plate boundaries, at transform plate boundaries, at divergent plate boundaries or none of the above
at divergent plate boundaries
why do aftershocks occur
Aftershocks occur as a result of a fault continuing to release stress or trying to readjust position
seismic surface waves that travel through solids, liquids, and gasses and that are detected first
P-waves
How long might the epicenter of an earthquake experience aftershocks? A few weeks, a few days, a few hours or all of the above?
all of the above
A landslide is what happens when an earthquakes causes soil to lose its strength and act as a liquid instead of a solid
False, liquefaction is what happens when an earthquake causes the earth to lose its strength and act as a liquid
The magnitudes of two earthquakes are measured using the Richter scale. The magnitude of one is 7 and the magnitude of the other is 4. How many times greater was the force of the magnitude 7 than the magnitude 4?
1,000 times greater
what causes liquefaction
seismic waves pass through soil their energy increases the water pressure. The increased water pressure breaks the bonds between soil grains and suspends them in water causing it to behave like a liquid