Geology Faults and Earthquakes Quiz
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Questions and Answers

What characterizes a reverse fault?

  • The blocks move apart creating tension.
  • Two blocks slide past each other horizontally.
  • The upper block moves down relative to the lower block.
  • The upper block moves up and over the lower block. (correct)

In a left lateral strike-slip fault, which block moves toward the viewer?

  • Both blocks move toward the viewer.
  • Neither block moves toward the viewer.
  • The left block moves toward the viewer. (correct)
  • The right block moves toward the viewer.

What type of motion defines a strike-slip fault?

  • Blocks moving vertically and horizontally.
  • Blocks sliding past each other horizontally. (correct)
  • Blocks moving apart vertically.
  • Blocks rising and falling alternatively.

Which of the following is true about all strike-slip faults?

<p>They involve vertical or nearly vertical fractures. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of fault is characterized by the upper block moving down relative to the lower block?

<p>Normal fault (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What typically triggers an earthquake?

<p>Movement of rock beneath Earth's surface (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are P waves also known as?

<p>Longitudinal waves (B), Primary waves (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic makes P waves different from other seismic waves?

<p>They arrive at distant points before other waves. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a result of the pressure build-up in the rock beneath the Earth's surface?

<p>Release of energy in the form of waves (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the Greek word 'seismos' translate to in English?

<p>Earthquake (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary action that occurs during compression stress?

<p>Rocks push or squeeze against one another. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens during tension stress?

<p>The rocks pull apart or move farther in different directions. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Shear stress is characterized by which of the following?

<p>A force pushing crust in different directions. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes confining stress?

<p>Uniform stress applied to all sides of the crust. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of stress is most likely to lead to the creation of faults in the crust?

<p>Shear stress, due to opposite movement of plates. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What triggers an earthquake to occur?

<p>Sudden slip on a fault due to overcome friction (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role does friction play in the process of generating earthquakes?

<p>It allows a gradual buildup of stress without movement (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of fault results in the block above the fault moving downward relative to the block below?

<p>Normal fault (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do seismic waves contribute to the experience of an earthquake?

<p>They travel through the earth's interior and crust, causing shaking (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens when the stress on a fault overcomes friction?

<p>The fault slips, leading to an earthquake (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What do seismic waves primarily consist of?

<p>Compressions and refractions (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which layer of the Earth is located above the mantle?

<p>Crust (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic of P waves?

<p>They travel through solid and liquid materials. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do seismic waves affect the ground as they move through it?

<p>They compress and expand the ground like a spring. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What direction do seismic waves propagate from the earthquake's focus?

<p>In all directions (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of seismic wave causes the ground to move both horizontally and vertically?

<p>Rayleigh Waves (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic of S waves compared to P waves?

<p>S waves can only travel through solids. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which seismic wave type is considered the slowest, but the most destructive?

<p>Surface Waves (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do seismic waves travel through different materials?

<p>P waves travel faster through denser materials, while S waves travel only through solids. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes the movement caused by P waves?

<p>Causes the ground to move up and down. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the expected year of the next appearance of Comet Halley?

<p>2062 (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes the orbits of asteroids from those of comets?

<p>Asteroids have more circular orbits. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which asteroid made a close approach to Earth in February 2013?

<p>Asteroid 2012 DA14 (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the first recorded observation of Comet Halley?

<p>1682 (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary location of most asteroids within our solar system?

<p>In the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the minimum water temperature required for tropical cyclone formation near the Philippines?

<p>26.5°C (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In which direction do tropical cyclones typically move?

<p>Northwest (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens to tropical cyclones when they reach land?

<p>They lose energy. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Where do tropical cyclones primarily develop?

<p>Over warm ocean waters near the equator (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about the Philippines and tropical cyclones is true?

<p>Four tropical cyclones commonly hit the northern part of the Philippines. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of seismic waves are known as S waves?

<p>Transverse waves that cause particles to move at right angles (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement is true regarding P waves?

<p>P waves travel through solids, liquids, and gases. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens to S waves when they encounter Earth's liquid core?

<p>They cannot pass through and are stopped. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What describes the particle movement in primary waves?

<p>Particles compress and stretch in the direction of the wave. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How are the paths of seismic waves affected by density changes in the Earth?

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What occurs at the eye of a tropical cyclone?

<p>The pressure is lowest. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What causes the surrounding air to blow toward the eye of a tropical cyclone?

<p>A decrease in surrounding pressure. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following can be observed in a barometer as a tropical cyclone approaches?

<p>The pressure reading gradually decreases. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which phenomenon is most directly responsible for the air movements in a tropical cyclone?

<p>Pressure gradients. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What can be inferred about wind speeds as one approaches the eye of a tropical cyclone?

<p>Wind speeds increase dramatically. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes Secondary Waves (S waves) in contrast to Primary Waves (P waves)?

<p>S waves cause particle movement at right angles to the wave direction. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is true regarding the travel capability of P waves?

<p>P waves can travel through both solids and liquids. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do the movements of particles differ between S waves and P waves?

<p>Particles in P waves compress and stretch in the direction of the wave. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens to S waves when they encounter the liquid outer core of the Earth?

<p>S waves are absorbed completely and stop. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following correctly describes the characteristics of transverse waves?

<p>Transverse waves have crests and troughs. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Reverse Fault

A fault where the upper block moves up and over the lower block, common in areas of compression.

Strike-Slip Fault

Two blocks sliding past each other, often vertically. Two types exist.

Left Lateral Strike-Slip

A strike-slip fault where the left block moves toward the viewer, with the right block moving away.

Right Lateral Strike-Slip

A strike-slip fault where the right block moves toward the viewer, with the left block moving away.

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Fault Type

A fracture in the Earth's crust where rocks on either side have moved.

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Earthquake cause

Sudden slip on a fault; friction between tectonic plates.

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Fault's role in quakes

Fault slippage releases energy causing ground shaking.

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Normal Fault

Dip-slip fault; upper block moves down.

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Fault slip

When friction is overcome, resulting in ground movement.

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Tectonic plates

Earth's plates always moving slowly but get stuck.

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Earth's Crust Stress

Force applied to Earth's crust, caused by plate movement. Can be compression, tension, shear, or confining.

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Compression Stress

Stress that squeezes rocks together, causing folding or faulting. Occurs when plates collide.

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Tension Stress

Stress that pulls rocks apart, causing stretching or breaking. Occurs when plates move away from each other.

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Shear Stress

Stress that causes rocks to slide past each other, often horizontally. Occurs when plates move sideways against each other.

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Confining Stress

Stress that applies pressure equally on all sides of rocks, causing compaction. Occurs deep underground.

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Seismic Waves

Waves of energy that travel through Earth's layers, caused by earthquakes or other disturbances.

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P Wave

A type of seismic wave that travels through solids and liquids, compressing and expanding the material like a spring.

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S Wave

A type of seismic wave that travels through solids only, moving the material up and down or side to side.

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Surface Waves

Seismic waves that travel along the Earth's surface, causing the most damage during earthquakes.

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Earth's Layers

The Earth is composed of three main layers: crust, mantle, and core.

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What are seismic waves?

Seismic waves are vibrations that travel through the Earth's layers, caused by events like earthquakes or explosions. They are the way energy travels from the source of an earthquake.

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What are longitudinal waves?

Longitudinal waves are a type of wave where the particles of the medium move back and forth in the same direction as the wave travels. This is in contrast to transverse waves where the particles move perpendicular to the wave direction.

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Why are P-waves called 'primary'?

P-waves are called 'primary' because they travel faster than other seismic waves. This means they arrive at seismographs first, providing the earliest indication of an earthquake.

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Primary Wave (P wave)

A type of seismic wave that compresses and expands the rock in the direction the wave travels. It is the fastest kind of seismic wave.

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Secondary Wave (S wave)

A type of seismic wave that moves rock particles perpendicular to the direction the wave travels. S waves are slower than P waves.

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What type of waves can travel through liquids?

Primary waves (P waves) can travel through liquids, while secondary waves (S waves) cannot. This is because S waves require a solid medium to travel through.

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Why do S waves not travel through Earth's core?

Earth's outer core is liquid. S waves can only travel through solid materials, so they cannot pass directly through the outer core.

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What are tropical cyclones?

Tropical cyclones are powerful storms that form over warm ocean water near the equator. They are characterized by strong winds, heavy rainfall, and storm surges.

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Where do typhoons form?

Typhoons specifically form over the western Pacific Ocean, near the equator.

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What temperature is needed?

For a typhoon to form, the water temperature must be at least 26.5°C (80°F) or warmer.

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How do typhoons move?

Typhoons typically move in a northwest direction.

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What happens when a typhoon hits land?

When a typhoon reaches land, it loses its energy source (warm ocean water) and weakens. This is why they often die out.

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What distinguishes P and S waves?

P waves are longitudinal and travel through solids and liquids, while S waves are transverse and only travel through solids.

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What are L waves?

A type of surface wave that causes rolling motion on the surface.

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Tropical Cyclone Pressure

The air pressure at the center (eye) of a tropical cyclone is the lowest.

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Air Flow in a Cyclone

Air surrounding the eye of a tropical cyclone flows inwards, towards the low pressure area.

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Barometer and Cyclone

As a tropical cyclone approaches, the barometer reading decreases, indicating lowering air pressure.

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Cyclone Eye's Role

The eye of a tropical cyclone has the lowest pressure, which causes the surrounding air to flow inwards.

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Why air flows inwards?

Air flows inwards towards the eye of a tropical cyclone because of the difference in air pressure; higher pressure outside pushes towards lower pressure inside.

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Comet Halley

A famous comet that orbits the Sun every 75-79 years, last seen in 1986 and expected to reappear in 2062. It was first recorded by Edmond Halley in 1682.

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Asteroid Belt

The region between Mars and Jupiter where most asteroids are located, thought to be remnants of an unformed planet.

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Asteroid 2012 DA14

An asteroid that made a close approach to Earth in February 2013, coming closer than Asteroid Toutatis did in December 2012.

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What are most asteroids considered to be?

Most asteroids are believed to be remnants of an unformed planet, left over from the early solar system.

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What is the difference between an asteroid and a comet?

Asteroids are mainly rocky and have more circular orbits, while comets are icy, have more elliptical orbits, and leave a tail as they approach the Sun.

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