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Questions and Answers
What is the primary focus of seismology?
Who developed the Richter Scale?
What does the Richter Scale specifically measure?
What is a significant characteristic of logarithmic scales like the Richter Scale?
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What groundbreaking discovery is attributed to Inge Lehmann?
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What type of wave is a seismic wave?
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Which scientific discipline is primarily concerned with predicting earthquakes?
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Which statement about seismic waves is incorrect?
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What is a primary cause of earthquakes related to volcanic activity?
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How do tectonic movements contribute to earthquakes?
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What role do geological faults play in causing earthquakes?
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Which of the following is NOT a direct cause of earthquakes?
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Which statement about tectonic plate movement is incorrect?
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What is the primary cause of earthquakes?
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Which of the following describes body waves?
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What type of movement do Primary (P) waves cause in the earth?
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Which type of wave causes the ground to move in a rolling circular motion?
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What is the focus (hypocenter) of an earthquake?
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Which type of wave causes the ground to move side to side?
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What is the epicenter of an earthquake?
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Which characteristic differentiates Secondary (S) waves from Primary (P) waves?
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What is the primary distinction between the focus and epicenter of an earthquake?
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Which type of seismic wave is the fastest and travels through all states of matter?
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What best describes a fault in geological terms?
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Which type of seismic wave typically causes the most damage during an earthquake?
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What are aftershocks?
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What is the primary purpose of a seismograph?
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What is the role of foreshocks in relation to earthquakes?
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Which of the following statements about earthquakes is false?
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What is the main cause of tectonic earthquakes?
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Which earthquake is associated with the San Andreas Fault?
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What typically precedes volcanic earthquakes?
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How did the 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo relate to volcanic earthquakes?
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What type of earthquake results from the explosion of chemical and nuclear devices?
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What was a significant outcome of the Tohoku earthquake in 2011?
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What are volcanic earthquakes usually associated with?
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Which of the following earthquakes occurred due to renewed movement of a tectonic feature?
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Study Notes
Seismology
- Scientific study of earthquakes and elastic wave propagation through the Earth.
- Origin of the term from Greek "seismos" (earthquake) and "logos" (science).
- Seismologists analyze earthquakes, predict occurrences, and study effects like seismic waves and tsunamis.
Key Seismologists
- Charles Francis Richter: Developed the Richter Scale (1953) for measuring earthquake magnitude; the scale is logarithmic, where each whole number increase represents a tenfold increase in amplitude.
- Inge Lehmann: Danish seismologist who discovered Earth's core structure in 1936, analyzing how earthquake energy travels through the Earth.
Seismic Waves
- Mechanical waves generated by earthquakes, categorized into body waves and surface waves.
- Body Waves:
- P-Waves (Primary Waves): Fastest seismic waves, move through solid, liquid, and gas; cause forward and backward motion.
- S-Waves (Secondary Waves): Slower than P-waves, travel only through solids; cause up-and-down movement.
- Surface Waves:
- Love Waves: Move side to side, perpendicular to wave direction.
- Rayleigh Waves: Roll in a circular motion along the surface.
Origin of Earthquakes
- Earthquakes are sudden ground shakes caused by seismic wave passage through Earth's rocks.
- Focus (Hypocenter): The point within the Earth where the earthquake originates.
- Epicenter: The point on Earth's surface directly above the focus, often experiencing strongest effects.
Components of an Earthquake
- Fault: Fracture or zone of fractures between rock blocks, where movement triggers earthquakes. Types include normal, reverse (thrust), and strike-slip faults.
- Aftershocks: Smaller quakes following the main event as the crust adjusts.
- Foreshocks: Smaller tremors preceding the main earthquake, can occur days to years before.
- Seismograph: Instrument that detects and records seismic waves, determining quake magnitude and location.
Causes of Earthquakes
- Earthquakes result from sudden energy release in the Earth's crust, leading to various impacts.
- Major causes include natural events and human activities.
Volcanic Activity
- Earthquakes can occur due to magma rising and causing pressure that leads to volcanic eruptions, causing localized tremors.
Tectonic Movement
- Earth's crust is composed of moving plates; stress release from their collision, separation, or sliding past each other causes earthquakes.
Geological Faults
- Displacement along fault lines causes tectonic earthquakes, prevalent globally, mainly at tectonic plate boundaries.
Examples of Significant Earthquakes
- San Francisco Earthquake (1906): Resulted from the San Andreas Fault, causing widespread destruction.
- Tohoku Earthquake (2011): Triggered a tsunami, showcasing the interconnection of natural disasters.
- Eastern Mindanao Earthquake (2024): Resulted from renewed movement of an extinct fracture zone.
Volcanic Earthquakes
- Occur with volcanic activity, typically before or after eruptions; indicate magma movement.
- Example: The 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo was preceded by warning volcanic earthquakes.
Explosion Earthquakes
- Result from the explosion of chemical or nuclear devices, distinguished from natural seismic events.
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Description
Test your knowledge on seismology and understand the origins and causes of earthquakes. This quiz covers fundamental concepts related to seismic activities and their implications. Perfect for students studying civil engineering or related fields.
