Earthquake Causes and Seismology Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary focus of seismology?

Study of atmospheric phenomena

Study of volcanic activity

Study of ocean currents

Study of earthquakes and elastic waves (correct)

Who developed the Richter Scale?

Albert Einstein

Inge Lehmann

Charles Francis Richter (correct)

Isaac Newton

What does the Richter Scale specifically measure?

Duration of earthquakes

Magnitude of earthquakes (correct)

Intensity of seismic waves

Frequency of earthquakes

What is a significant characteristic of logarithmic scales like the Richter Scale?

They represent magnitude changes in multiples of ten. Signup and view all the answers

What groundbreaking discovery is attributed to Inge Lehmann?

The structure of the Earth's core Signup and view all the answers

What type of wave is a seismic wave?

A mechanical wave of acoustic energy Signup and view all the answers

Which scientific discipline is primarily concerned with predicting earthquakes?

Seismology Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about seismic waves is incorrect?

They cannot travel through solid materials. Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary cause of earthquakes related to volcanic activity?

Pressure buildup from rising magma Signup and view all the answers

How do tectonic movements contribute to earthquakes?

They involve collision, separation, or sliding of plates Signup and view all the answers

What role do geological faults play in causing earthquakes?

They are fractures where rocks can move and build stress Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a direct cause of earthquakes?

Ocean currents Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about tectonic plate movement is incorrect?

They are always stationary. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary cause of earthquakes?

Sudden release of energy Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes body waves?

Waves that travel internally through the Earth Signup and view all the answers

What type of movement do Primary (P) waves cause in the earth?

Forward and backward movement Signup and view all the answers

Which type of wave causes the ground to move in a rolling circular motion?

Rayleigh waves Signup and view all the answers

What is the focus (hypocenter) of an earthquake?

The point on the fault where rupture occurs Signup and view all the answers

Which type of wave causes the ground to move side to side?

Love waves Signup and view all the answers

What is the epicenter of an earthquake?

The point on the Earth's surface directly above the focus Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic differentiates Secondary (S) waves from Primary (P) waves?

S-waves cause up and down movement Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary distinction between the focus and epicenter of an earthquake?

The focus is where the earthquake originates, and the epicenter is directly above it on the surface. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of seismic wave is the fastest and travels through all states of matter?

Primary Waves (P-waves) Signup and view all the answers

What best describes a fault in geological terms?

A fracture or zone of fractures between two blocks of rock. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of seismic wave typically causes the most damage during an earthquake?

Surface Waves Signup and view all the answers

What are aftershocks?

Smaller earthquakes that occur in the same region after the main event. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of a seismograph?

To record seismic waves produced by earthquakes. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of foreshocks in relation to earthquakes?

They are minor tremors that can occur days or years before the main earthquake. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about earthquakes is false?

Earthquakes can only be caused by natural factors. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main cause of tectonic earthquakes?

Collision of tectonic plates Signup and view all the answers

Which earthquake is associated with the San Andreas Fault?

San Francisco earthquake of 1906 Signup and view all the answers

What typically precedes volcanic earthquakes?

A series of seismic activities Signup and view all the answers

How did the 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo relate to volcanic earthquakes?

It was preceded by volcanic earthquakes Signup and view all the answers

What type of earthquake results from the explosion of chemical and nuclear devices?

Explosion earthquakes Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant outcome of the Tohoku earthquake in 2011?

It highlighted the connection to tsunamis Signup and view all the answers

What are volcanic earthquakes usually associated with?

Magma movement beneath the Earth’s surface Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following earthquakes occurred due to renewed movement of a tectonic feature?

The recent earthquake in Mindanao on August 3, 2024 Signup and view all the answers

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.