Earth Science Week 1 & 2 Lectures
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Questions and Answers

What are the two main types of volcanic deposits?

Lava flows and pyroclastic deposits

Earthquakes occur only at plate boundaries.

False

What is the difference between a normal fault, a reverse fault, and a strike-slip fault?

A normal fault occurs when the hanging wall block moves down relative to the footwall block, a reverse fault occurs when the hanging wall block moves up relative to the footwall block, and a strike-slip fault occurs when the two blocks slide horizontally past each other.

What is the name for the point on the Earth's surface directly above the point where an earthquake originates?

<p>Epicenter</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the name for the point where an earthquake originates within the Earth?

<p>Hypocenter</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the three main types of hazards associated with earthquakes?

<p>Ground shaking, surface faulting, and tsunamis.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the scientific theory that explains the movement of Earth's tectonic plates?

<p>Plate tectonics</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the four main types of hazards associated with volcanoes?

<p>Lava flows, pyroclastic flows, pyroclastic falls, and lahars.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the name for the largest type of volcanic eruption, which can produce a caldera?

<p>Ultra-Plinian</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the name for the type of volcanic eruption that is characterized by the release of glowing pyroclastic flows, which can travel down the sides of a volcano at high speeds?

<p>Plinian</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the name for the process of removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and storing it in a solid or liquid form?

<p>Carbon sequestration</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the name for the large-scale circulation of air in the atmosphere that is responsible for creating weather patterns and influencing global climate?

<p>Walker Circulation Cell</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the name for the periodic warming of surface waters in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean, which has significant impacts on global weather patterns?

<p>El Niño</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the opposite of El Niño, characterized by cooler-than-average conditions in the eastern Pacific Ocean?

<p>La Niña</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT considered a natural hazard directly caused by volcanic activity?

<p>Tsunamis</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a consequence of climate change?

<p>Increased frequency of volcanic eruptions</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the two main ways climate change can impact human society?

<p>Sea level rise and more extreme weather events.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the name for the method of storing carbon dioxide underground in solid or liquid form to prevent its release into the atmosphere?

<p>Carbon sequestration</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the two main types of carbon sequestration?

<p>Artificial and natural carbon sequestration.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the three main types of landslides?

<p>Rockfalls, debris flows, and translational landslides.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Landslides can only occur in areas with steep slopes.

<p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the two main forces that cause landslides?

<p>Gravity and external forces.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the two factors that determine the resistance of a slope to failure?

<p>Strength of materials and friction.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the three major types of hazards associated with cyclones?

<p>Strong winds, storm surge, and cyclone impacts.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the two main factors that determine the intensity of a cyclone's effects?

<p>Wind strength and storm surge.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the two main types of hazards associated with thunderstorms?

<p>Downbursts and lightning strikes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Waterspouts are the same as tornadoes.

<p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

Lightning strikes are more common in areas with high concentrations of trees.

<p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the two main factors that contribute to the formation of lightning?

<p>The separation of charges within clouds and the presence of a strong electric field between the cloud and ground.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the three main types of hazards associated with delta regions?

<p>Subsidence, flooding, and storm surge.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the two main contributing factors to global sea level rise?

<p>Thermal expansion of seawater and the melting of glaciers and ice sheets.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the three main mitigation strategies for dealing with the impacts of sea-level rise?

<p>Retreat, accommodation/adaptation, and defend.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the two main types of compound flooding?

<p>Storms and tsunamis.</p> Signup and view all the answers

The most significant change in global temperatures in the last 20,000 years has been a steady increase in global temperatures.

<p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the three main types of Milankovitch cycles?

<p>Eccentricity, obliquity, and precession.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the name for the process by which Earth's atmosphere traps heat from the sun, leading to a warming effect?

<p>Greenhouse effect</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the three main ways human activities contribute to global warming?

<p>Burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and agricultural practices.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the two main types of geoengineering solutions being proposed to counteract climate change?

<p>Solar radiation management and carbon dioxide removal.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the two main reasons why the atmosphere in the Southern Hemisphere is much more stable than the atmosphere in the Northern Hemisphere?

<p>The Southern Hemisphere is dominated by oceans, which act as a stabilizing heat sink, and the Northern Hemisphere has a larger landmass, which experiences greater fluctuations in temperature.</p> Signup and view all the answers

The largest temperature increase due to climate change is expected to occur in the Southern Hemisphere.

<p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

What factors influence the angle of repose for loose materials?

<p>Angularity, size of grains, and moisture content</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of landslide is characterized by the speed of 1cm/s to 10m/s with long runout?

<p>Debris flow</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does an increase in pore fluid pressure affect landslides?

<p>It reduces friction and facilitates landslides</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary consequence of a landslide dam failure?

<p>Flooding downstream areas</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which source of weakness in rocks does NOT include a natural geological formation?

<p>Faults from human mining activities</p> Signup and view all the answers

What process occurs along convergent boundaries causing one tectonic plate to move under another?

<p>Subduction</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of seismic wave arrives first during an earthquake?

<p>P waves</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary factor driving the movement of tectonic plates?

<p>Thermal convection in the mantle</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which phenomenon is NOT directly caused by earthquakes?

<p>Tornado formation</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the density of the oceanic crust change as it moves away from a spreading ridge?

<p>Density increases as it cools</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of earthquake hazard involves the ground losing its strength and behaving like a liquid?

<p>Liquefaction</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is mainly affected by the severity of ground shaking during an earthquake?

<p>Structural design of buildings</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is considered a primary cause of mountain building?

<p>Subduction of tectonic plates</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant challenge associated with land use planning for disaster mitigation?

<p>It often encounters political and legal opposition.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does living with nature imply in the context of natural disaster mitigation?

<p>Adapting human behavior to coexist with natural processes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which layer of the Earth is described as the solid outer part, encompassing the crust and upper mantle?

<p>Lithosphere</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the plate tectonics theory explain the formation of major landforms?

<p>As a result of movements in the Earth's lithosphere.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What issue arises from trying to control natural hazards, such as earthquakes or floods?

<p>It can lead to more severe damage elsewhere.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of flow is characterized as a mix of mud, water, and magma during a volcanic event?

<p>Lahar</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is public education significant in the government’s role in disaster mitigation?

<p>It empowers communities to respond to disasters effectively.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a major consequence of climate change regarding natural hazards?

<p>Increased intensity of extreme weather events.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of volcanic rock has the highest temperature range according to volcanic classifications?

<p>Basaltic</p> Signup and view all the answers

What occurs during the process of sea mount production related to plate tectonics?

<p>Underwater volcanoes build up over time.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What hazard can result from high concentrations of CO₂ leaking from volcanoes into the soil?

<p>Suffocation of animals and plants</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of volcanic deposit specifically fills in gaps in the ground after an eruption?

<p>Pyroclastic flow</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential consequence of being able to predict volcanic eruptions?

<p>Evacuation of large populations</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which volcanic activity creates irregularly bedded ash and blocks across the landscape?

<p>Pyroclastic surge</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the challenges associated with predicting the style and severity of volcanic eruptions?

<p>Variability in eruption characteristics</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which feature is NOT typically associated with volcanic eruptions but can occur due to volcanic activity?

<p>Avalanche of snow</p> Signup and view all the answers

What factor primarily affects the speed of tsunami waves?

<p>The depth of the sea</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which condition must be met for a tsunami to be generated by an earthquake?

<p>The area of the rupture zone must be large</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following could trigger tsunami waves through volcanic activity?

<p>Submarine gas emissions</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential effect of a 1km asteroid impacting a 5km deep ocean?

<p>It could generate a deep cavity and resulting tsunami</p> Signup and view all the answers

What plays a significant role in determining the height of tsunami waves?

<p>The depth of water above the rupture</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the volume of water displaced affect tsunami generation?

<p>Larger volume leads to stronger tsunami waves</p> Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic of earthquake magnitude is typically associated with tsunami generation?

<p>Magnitude greater than 8</p> Signup and view all the answers

What effect can subaquatic landslides have on tsunami generation?

<p>They can displace large amounts of water, creating tsunamis.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What primarily triggers the movement of material in a landslide?

<p>Gravity acting on the mass</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of landslide moves along a curved slip surface?

<p>Rotational slide</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does slope steepness affect the likelihood of a landslide occurring?

<p>Steeper slopes increase driving force and likelihood of failure</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a common characteristic of translational slides compared to rotational slides?

<p>They typically travel longer distances</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following can contribute to slope failure in landslides?

<p>Heavy rain saturating the soil</p> Signup and view all the answers

What occurs in a landslide classified as a debris flow?

<p>High volume of material moves downslope rapidly, often wet</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which factor does NOT play a role in determining the resisting force for landslides?

<p>Slope angle of the terrain</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a likely consequence of a landslide occurring in coastal regions?

<p>Potential for tsunamis or tidal waves</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which approach to disaster mitigation focuses on preventing development in high-risk areas?

<p>Land use planning</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary strategy for mitigating the financial impacts of natural disasters?

<p>Insurance</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements best describes the role of government in disaster mitigation?

<p>Researching natural disasters and educating the public</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the concept of 'living with nature' in disaster mitigation emphasize?

<p>Changing human behavior to adapt to natural forces</p> Signup and view all the answers

What layer of the Earth is referred to as the lithosphere?

<p>Crust and upper mantle</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does plate tectonics theory help to explain?

<p>Creation of major landforms and natural phenomena</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does Earth's magnetic field interact with volcanic rocks during an eruption?

<p>Magnetic particles align with the field while rocks are hot.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a consequence of controlling natural processes?

<p>Temporary hindrance of natural cycles</p> Signup and view all the answers

What factor is most significantly affected by an increase in moisture content in loose materials?

<p>Friction</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of landslide is characterized by the fastest speed and a very short runout distance?

<p>Rockfall</p> Signup and view all the answers

What source of weakness in rocks does NOT pertain to a geological process?

<p>Imperfect mixing of construction materials</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does cohesion contribute to landslide stability?

<p>By providing resistance against driving forces</p> Signup and view all the answers

What major consequence can result from a landslide dam failure?

<p>Widespread flooding downstream</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary effect of liquefaction during an earthquake?

<p>Soil transforms into a semi-liquid state.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a common consequence of landslides triggered by earthquakes?

<p>Destruction of entire towns.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which factor can contribute to the occurrence of landslides after an earthquake?

<p>Earthquake-induced liquefaction.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of monitoring active fault zones in land use planning?

<p>To minimize potential earthquake damage.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What can occur as a secondary effect of landslides during an earthquake?

<p>Creation of landslide dams leading to flooding.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does ground shaking influence the stability of structures built on pile foundations?

<p>It may cause loss of support from adjacent soil.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of early warning system issues alerts following an earthquake event?

<p>Earthquake early warning system.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What difference exists between p-waves and s-waves during an earthquake?

<p>P-waves are the first to arrive at a location.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What triggers the immediate transmission of a message from the alert centre to your device?

<p>Detection of P waves.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens to tsunami waves as they approach the coast?

<p>Wavelength decreases and wave height increases.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main characteristic of tsunami wavelengths compared to normal waves?

<p>Tsunami wavelengths can exceed hundreds of kilometers.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of fault is primarily responsible for creating tsunamis?

<p>Reverse faults.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the arrival of the tsunami waves affect coastal areas?

<p>They generate destructive and life-threatening waves.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens when a fault rupture occurs under the ocean?

<p>Vertical deformation generates waves that propagate into coastal areas.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What effect does the shallow water have on tsunami waves?

<p>It slows wave speed and increases wave height.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What mechanism is primarily responsible for the initiation of tsunami waves?

<p>Vertical deformation from earthquakes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of volcanic eruption is characterized by low viscosity and relatively gentle lava flows?

<p>Hawaiian-type eruptions</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does an increase in silica content affect the viscosity of magma?

<p>Increases viscosity, making it stiffer</p> Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic is NOT associated with Plinian-type eruptions?

<p>Low ash and smoke columns</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of rock is formed from the crystallization of magma that cools slowly beneath the surface?

<p>Intrusive igneous rock</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which factor contributes most to the explosive nature of a volcanic eruption?

<p>High water content in magma</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the composition of basaltic magma?

<p>High in iron, magnesium, and calcium</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is NOT a key characteristic of calderas formed by ultrapliniann eruptions?

<p>Formation of lava domes</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role does water play in magma's behavior during an eruption?

<p>Decreases viscosity and facilitates bubble expansion</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary factor contributing to the increased cost of natural hazards over time?

<p>Exponential growth of the global human population</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between the magnitude of natural events and their frequency of occurrence?

<p>Magnitude is inversely proportional to frequency</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a consequence of overlapping natural events?

<p>Influence on the intensity of subsequent events</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do trends in leisure activities affect natural hazard fatality rates?

<p>More people engaging in activities increases exposure to hazards</p> Signup and view all the answers

What plays a significant role in the predictability of major natural events?

<p>Availability of historical data</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a likely outcome of increased compliance in the Earth's crust?

<p>More dynamic geological processes</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is associated with higher fatality rates during natural disasters?

<p>Higher population density in affected areas</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of feedback effect is exemplified by the process of global warming melting ice?

<p>Positive feedback enhancing heat absorption</p> Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Week 1 - Lectures 1 & 2

  • Earth's surface is dynamic and active, unlike Mars
  • Topography reflects forces acting on Earth's surface
  • Natural hazards are linked to exponential human population growth
  • Human interactions (e.g. technology, life expectancy, wars) influence natural disasters
  • Everyday geological processes contribute to disasters
  • Human impact on natural events: less damage with fewer people and buildings; high damage and deaths with more people and buildings. Catastrophic deaths happen with rare, major events difficult to predict
  • Prediction of natural disasters is challenging due to lack of data
  • Hazard prediction is often cyclic; some natural events show repeating patterns
  • Magnitude of an event is inversely proportional to frequency

Week 2 - Lecture 3

  • Earth's structure includes crust, mantle, outer core, and inner core
  • Temperature increases toward Earth's center
  • Lithosphere (solid outer layer) is bounded by atmosphere and asthenosphere.
  • Continental drift theory proposes continents have moved over time
  • Plate tectonics explain major landforms from Earth's lithosphere movements
  • Earth's magnetic field periodically reverses.
  • Oceanic spreading centers are boundaries between diverging lithospheric plates, which create new oceanic crust
  • Major plate boundary types: divergent, convergent, and transform, each has associated hazards

Week 3 - Lecture 4

  • Explanation of three major plate boundary types and their associated hazards
  • Divergent boundaries: Plates move apart, form within continents, but eventually open up and become ocean basins
  • Convergent boundaries: Plates collide, one plate is subducted underneath the other. Types include continental-oceanic, oceanic-oceanic, and continental-continental, each creating different geomorphic features
  • Transform boundaries: Plates slide past each other, along these boundaries, stress builds up and is released through earthquakes.

Week 4 - Lecture 5 & Lecture 6

  • Causes of earthquakes: stress and strain due to the movement of tectonic plates
  • Elastic rebound theory: rocks strain and deform until they rupture; abrupt movement releases energy as seismic waves
  • Different kinds of seismic waves (body waves - P waves, S waves and surface waves - Rayleigh and Love) cause shaking
  • Seismic waves are used for various purposes like finding oil, gas and for building damage monitoring.
  • Three different earthquake fault types: normal, reverse/thrust, and strike-slip faults
  • Relationship between fault size, seismic moment, and earthquake magnitude (Mw = 2/3 log10 Mo - 10.7), energy released during earthquakes calculated

Week 5- Lecture 6

  • Earthquake magnitude is related to the size and amount of energy released during an earthquake
  • Subduction zone earthquakes are the largest events and create the highest impact
  • Other hazards, including landslides and liquefaction, can occur due to earthquakes
  • Detailed description of surface faulting, ground shaking, landslides due to earthquake activities

Week 5- Lecture 7

  • Types of tsunami causes and characteristics: (Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides and asteroids)
  • Tsunami waves propagate from deep ocean into coastal zones with immense wave velocity and great lengths.
  • Factors affecting tsunami wave height: Earthquake magnitude, area of rupture zone and water depth.
  • Tsunami waves speed, length, and height are directly related to the water depth, therefore faster and bigger in deeper water,
  • The initiation of tsunami is largely a result of large-scale plate movements, uplift (upward movement) and subsidence (downward movement) resulting in ocean floor deformation.
  • Understanding the relationship between earthquake magnitude, the size of the rupture zone, associated impacts and the type of geological structures that exist

Week 6- Lecture 7

  • Different types of volcanic eruptions, including shield volcanoes, stratovolcanoes, and calderas
  • Characteristics of each type: lava flow, gas-release and pyroclastic activity.
  • Physical properties of magma and their link to eruption types
  • Types of igneous rocks: extrusive and intrusive
  • Relationship between magma composition and grain size/characteristics
  • Understanding how magma composition is a significant factor on how easily it flows
  • Impact of water and silica content on viscosity, explaining why explosive eruptions occur

Week 7- Lecture 8

  • Hazards associated with volcanic eruptions: Direct and indirect hazards like lava flows, pyroclastic flows, ash fall, and lahars
  • Effects on people, infrastructure and the environment
  • Indirect hazards of volcanic eruptions - climate change and weather systems

Week 8 - Lecture 9

  • Detailed description of various types of earthquake fault including rotational and translational slides and rockfalls.
  • Driving forces behind landslide and the resisting force factors contributing to slope failure (slope steepness, material weight and moisture content)
  • Impact of moisture and slope angle on slope stability
  • Factors that determine landslide velocity, including ground shaking, rainfall, and other geologic/hydrological processes.
  • Monitoring techniques and how to mitigate the impact of landslides

Week 9 - Lecture 10

  • Details on delta regions: location of cities, why they are located there, reasons why it is important land for crop production,
  • Hazard associated to delta areas flooding and coastal issues
  • Importance and usefulness of delta regions and rivers, including the impact on biodiversity and associated land usage.

Week 10 - Lecture 11

  • Define cyclones: the rotational circulation of wind systems
  • Location where cyclones form and their relationship with warm water from oceans
  • Different terminology usage for cyclones in different regions (hurricanes, typhoons)

Week 10 - Lecture 12

  • Define and differentiate between different climate factors
  • Relationship between atmospheric layers Components and composition of the atmosphere - gases
  • Earth's energy balance, including incoming solar radiation and outgoing or radiated energy

Week 11 - Lecture 12

  • Describe and explain the concept of ice age
  • Provide explanation for how ice ages works, including the concept of Milankovitch cycles and the variation in Earth's orbit and rotation.
  • Explain the theory relating to the use of proxies for ice ages (e.g. ice cores, tree rings, sediments, etc.)
  • Details on different cyclical events, including eccentricity, obliquity, and precession and the impact they have on climate conditions
  • Detailed explanation of how solar radiation affects climate

Week 11/12 - Lecture 13

  • Detail explanation of factors causing sea level rise including plate tectonics, uplift, subsidence and melting ice,
  • Impacts on delta regions, and the importance of understanding climate change for effective mitigation strategies.

Week 13/14

  • Focus on geoengineering solutions to climate change, including strategies for increasing solar reflectivity, carbon sequestration and other strategies for mitigating the effects of climate change
  • Detailed understanding of the scientific background, potential consequences, and current limitations in the area of geoengineering solutions to climate change.
  • Description for different methods of carbon sequestration, including artificial (industrial) and natural (natural) methods.
  • Explain and describe the impacts of climate change on different aspects, including effects on people (flooding, damage, etc.), animals, plants, and environment (e.g. flooding, ocean warming)
  • Describe and explain warnings/monitoring strategies used by climate scientists to predict these warnings

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Week 1 Lectures 1 & 2 - 12 Aug 2024 PDF

Description

This quiz covers the dynamic processes shaping the Earth's surface, including natural hazards and human interactions. It discusses the structure of the Earth and the challenges in predicting natural disasters. Gain a deeper understanding of how geological processes relate to everyday events and larger catastrophes.

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