Earthquakes & Tsunamis
What is the point on Earth's surface directly above where an earthquake starts?
What is the epicenter?
What scale is used to measure hurricane wind speed?
What is the Saffir-Simpson scale?
What scale is used to measure tornado intensity?
What is the Fujita scale?
What does a map of earthquakes under the ocean help predict?
What is Tsunamis?
Short-term vs. long-term impact: Which describes trees being knocked down in a storm?
Short-term impact. Examples of long-term impacts include displacement of people, changes to landscape landmarks such as rivers, and saltwater intrusion.
Why do tsunamis lose strength after they reach land / "make landfall"?
Because they are cut off from their energy source in the ocean aka the kinetic energy generated from (earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides, etc...)
What part of a hurricane is calm?
What is the eye?
Why was the Fujita scale developed?
To measure tornado intensity based on damage. Additionally, allowing us to collect data.
What data is most important for predicting hurricanes?
Historical storm paths and oceanic temperatures
How can levees help reduce hurricane damage?
By blocking floodwaters from storm surges.
In areas like California and Japan, earthquakes and tsunamis are common. What does this suggest about the location of these regions?
They are near tectonic plate boundaries / fault lines.
Why do hurricanes lose strength after moving inland?
They lose access to warm ocean water, their main energy source.
Based on historical tornado maps, how can we predict which cities are at higher risk for tornadoes?
By looking at regions with prevalent past tornado activity.
A graph table shows earthquake depth and tsunami height. Which variable is independent (cause/manipulated) and which is dependent (effect/measured)?
Independent = Earthquake Depth
Dependent = Tsunami Height
Why is it important for cities near coast to plan for hurricanes?
They are notoriously at high risk.
If data shows that earthquakes with a magnitude of 5.0 or greater happen every few years in a city, what can you predict for the future?
The city will likely experience another strong earthquake in the near future.
What is a storm surge?
A rise of ocean water caused by strong winds and pressure from a hurricane. This pushes water above normal tidal level and often causes dangerous flooding near shorelines.
What causes tornadoes to form in the central United States / midwest?
The collision of warm, moist air from the Gulf and cold, dry air from Canada.
This is a natural warning sign, often observed before a tsunami that signifies one is about to occur?
What is a drawback or sudden sea-level retreat?
Name one-way humans can protect against future earthquake damage?
Build earthquake resistant structures / architecture.
Which two factors can affect the size of a tsunami?
What is magnitude and depth?
Hurricanes are fueled by the release of this type of energy when warm, moist air rises, and water vapor condenses in the storm system.
What is latent energy?
When a tornado passes over loose soil or farmland, it can cause this process, which removes the top layer of fertile ground.
What is erosion?
Why do scientist collect long-term data on natural disasters?
To identify patterns and improve predictions.
Match the natural hazard with its cause:
Earthquake > Air mass collision
Hurricane > Underwater earthquake
Tsunami > Warm ocean water
Tornado. > Plate movement
Earthquake. > Plate movement
Hurricane > Warm ocean water (when quickly evaporating the humid hot air collides with oncoming winds at higher altitudes and triggers a cycle that pulls the water upwards all while mass levels of evaporation, condensation, and precipitation are happening. The thermal energy from the warm air becomes latent after condensation and every time the cycle occurs more energy swells until the chaos that are hurricanes manifest)
Tornado > Air mass collision