Earthquakes and Seismic Waves

What is an earthquake?

The release of energy during an earthquake occurs randomly and without pattern.

What is the focus, or hypocentre, of an earthquake?

What is the epicenter of an earthquake?

Earthquake waves are only propagated through solid materials.

How are earthquake waves recorded?

What are the two basic types of earthquake waves?

Where are body waves generated?

Body waves are the slowest type of earthquake wave.

What are the two types of body waves?

P-waves move transversally.

What type of material can P-waves travel through?

What is one characteristic of S-waves?

The outer core of the Earth is in solid form.

Describe how S-waves propagate.

When are surface waves generated during an earthquake?

Surface waves are not considered very damaging.

Which of the following scenarios is LEAST likely to induce an earthquake?

If a seismograph station records the arrival of P-waves but no S-waves following a distant earthquake, what can be inferred about the intervening material between the earthquake's focus and the station?

Which statement accurately compares the characteristics of P-waves and S-waves?

How does the Richter scale quantify the magnitude of an earthquake?

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

How do Love waves differ from Rayleigh waves?

How do tectonic plate boundaries contribute to the occurrence of earthquakes?

What is the relationship between the magnitude of an earthquake and the amplitude of seismic waves it produces?

Which of the following scenarios would most likely result in the generation of a tsunami?

How does the behavior of a tsunami change as it moves from deep ocean water to shallow coastal waters?

Which of the following is the MOST important factor that contributes to the high concentration of earthquakes along the Pacific Ring of Fire?

Why can intraplate earthquakes be particularly dangerous, despite being less frequent than earthquakes at plate boundaries?

A coastal city is located near a subduction zone known for generating large earthquakes. Which mitigation strategy would be MOST effective in reducing the potential impact of a future tsunami?

Which of the following statements BEST describes the difference between the Mercalli scale and the moment magnitude scale?

What is the primary goal of earthquake early warning systems, and how do they achieve it?

What is the main purpose of implementing base isolation techniques in building construction, particularly in earthquake-prone regions?

Why is vertical displacement of the seafloor a critical factor in tsunami generation, as opposed to horizontal displacement?

Which of the following is an example of earthquake mitigation through retrofitting?