15 Questions
What is the location on Earth's surface where a fault can be observed?
Fault line
Why are geologists unable to predict when earthquakes will occur?
The unpredictable movement of tectonic plates
What causes earthquakes to happen?
Energy release at fault lines
Which machine is used by scientists to measure earthquakes?
Seismometer
What is the name for the largest earthquake in a series of quakes?
Mainshock
What role do foreshocks play in relation to the mainshock?
They occur prior to the mainshock
What happens when two tectonic plates suddenly slip along a fault?
An earthquake occurs
What distinguishes foreshocks from mainshocks and aftershocks?
They cannot be labeled until a larger quake occurs.
Why is it not possible to predict an earthquake by measuring seismic activity from a foreshock?
It is unknown if a foreshock will be followed by another quake.
What defines an aftershock?
It occurs following the mainshock in the same region.
Why might a quake initially classified as the mainshock be later labeled as a foreshock?
Its magnitude was smaller than another subsequent quake.
What do aftershocks result from?
The build-up of stress energy along a fault line.
How long can aftershocks last after a mainshock?
Years
What determines the frequency and duration of aftershocks?
The magnitude of the main earthquake
'Whenever two tectonic plates slip, what happens?'
'Energy builds up along a fault line.'
Explore the relationship between tectonic plates, fault lines, and earthquakes in the Earth's crust. Learn about how geologists are unable to predict when earthquakes will occur due to the unpredictable nature of activities along fault lines.
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