Dynamic Earth: Earthquakes

Which statement describes the moment magnitude scale? - It measures only small earthquakes. - It collects data using a seismograph. - It shows only the strength of seismic waves that were produced. - It determines the amount of damage caused by an earthquake.

It collects data using a seismograph.

Which statement describes the focus of an earthquake? It creates stress in rock. It develops in the lithosphere. It lies above the surface where rock breaks. It begins about 5 kilometers below Earth's surface.

It develops in the lithosphere.

Which statement describes the Richter scale? - It cannot account for fault movement during an earthquake. - It measures large earthquakes far from the seismograph. - It estimates the total energy released from an earthquake. - It increases in magnitude as amount of damage increases.

It increases in magnitude as amount of damage increases.

Which statement describes one aspect of an earthquake's magnitude? It is measured by the Mercalli scale. It is based on the size of seismic waves. It is not usually affected by the amount of fault movement. It is used to determine damage caused by earthquakes.

It is based on the size of seismic waves.

Which word identifies the shaking that results from movement under Earth's surface? earthquake fault plate stress

earthquake

Which factor does the moment magnitude scale estimate? damage location wave strength energy released

energy released

Which of these factors is involved in earthquake formation? plates getting larger rocks breaking stress that decreases faults that remain stationary

rocks breaking

Which is used to find the epicenter of an earthquake? magnitude seismic waves seismograph seismometer

seismograph

Which increases along faults and leads to rock breaking? damage earthquake focus stress

stress

What is the main cause of an earthquake? force of gravity the shaking of the ground stress caused by plate movement waves that ripple from the epicenter

stress caused by plate movement

Which type of wave may make the ground roll? P wave S wave surface wave

surface wave

Which statement describes the damage that results from earthquakes? - Amount of damage can be used to determine intensity. - Damage can be measured using the Richter scale. - The amount of damage increases as the magnitude decreases. - Earthquakes that cause maximum damage are the most common.

Amount of damage can be used to determine intensity.

How are S waves and surface waves similar? Both arrive after P waves. Both compress the ground. Both travel through liquids. Both produce minimal ground motion.

Both arrive after P waves.

Which statement describes the location of an earthquake's epicenter? It is located using a single set of data. It is determined by the depth of the focus. It is determined by the arrival time of surface waves. It is located at the point where circles intersect on a map.

It is located at the point where circles intersect on a map.

Which statement describes a seismograph? It has a flat graphing surface. It is used to locate an earthquake's focus. It uses a needle on graph paper to measure seismic wave activity. It measures data used to find the difference between the arrival times of surface waves.

It uses a needle on graph paper to measure seismic wave activity.

Which type of wave is the first to arrive during an earthquake? P wave S wave surface wave

P wave

The ______ scale is best used to measure the strength of small, nearby earthquakes.

Richter

What happens when stress builds at faults? Energy is absorbed. Rock can bend and break. Plates form on the lithosphere. Earthquakes develop at Earth's surface.

Rock can bend and break.

Which type of wave vibrates both side to side and up and down? P wave S wave surface wave

S wave

Which statement about the Mercalli scale is true? - The scale has twenty ratings for an earthquake's effects. - The scale rates an earthquake based on its total energy released. - The scale rates an earthquake according to how much damage it causes. - The scale is most useful when scientists use data from three or more seismographs.

The scale rates an earthquake according to how much damage it causes.

Which statement describes surface waves? They arrive before S waves. They travel faster than P waves. They are produced by P and S waves. They travel deep below Earth's surface.

They are produced by P and S waves.

Which statement describes seismic waves? They carry energy. They move in one direction. They travel from the epicenter. They only vibrate at Earth's surface.

They carry energy.

Which strategy do geologists use to locate the center of an earthquake? They only analyze local data. They collect data from seismographs. They measure arrival times of surface waves. They draw squares on maps for measurements.

They collect data from seismographs.

Which is one step that geologists use to find the epicenter of an earthquake? - They look at data from at least one seismograph. - They measure the difference between arrival of P waves and S waves. - They draw circles around the epicenter from three locations. - They obtain information about the intensity of earthquakes from seismographs.

They measure the difference between arrival of P waves and S waves.

Which statement describes S waves? They move side to side. They arrive before P waves. They travel through liquids. They occur at Earth's surface.

They move side to side.

Which statement describes how geologists use data from seismographs to learn about earthquakes? - They often compare information from all over the world. - They map the location of an earthquake's focus. - They use one reading to determine the location of an epicenter. - They measure the difference between the arrival times of surface waves.

They often compare information from all over the world.

Which statement describes earthquakes? They release energy. They are caused by reduced stress in rocks. They begin at the epicenter. They result from movement on Earth's surface.

They release energy.

How are S waves and P waves similar? They shake the ground. They travel through liquids. They arrive at the same time. They vibrate from side to side.

They shake the ground.

When earthquakes produce vibrations called waves, how do those waves travel? - They ripple from the epicenter of the earthquake. - They move back and forth and side to side through water. - They travel away from the focus of the earthquake in all directions. - They move slowly and increase in intensity as they reach Earth's surface.

They travel away from the focus of the earthquake in all directions.

Which statement describes P waves? They start as surface waves. They travel through liquids. They vibrate from side to side. They move slower than S waves.

They travel through liquids.

Which statement describes the Mercalli scale? - This scale measures seismic waves based on their size. - This scale rates an earthquake according to how much damage it causes. - This scale produces a single rating for earthquakes that reach the surface. - This scale measures the magnitude of an earthquake based on the size of seismic waves.

This scale rates an earthquake according to how much damage it causes.

The _____ magnitude scale is useful for measuring the strength of earthquakes of all sizes and at all distances from a seismograph.

moment

Which phrase describes a feature of an earthquake's epicenter? starting point of an earthquake place around the center of an earthquake region directly above the focus point about 100 kilometers deep in the lithosphere

region directly above the focus

Which word identifies the agent that carries the energy released from earthquakes? epicenter focus lithosphere waves

waves