SMS Natural Hazard Predictions

This map shows tornado activity in the United States between 1950 and 1998.

Based on the data provided by this map, which of the following cities would be most likely to experience a tornado with a rating of F3 or greater in the next year?

• Phoenix, Arizona

• Topeka, Kansas

• Orlando, Florida

• Columbia, South Carolina

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

The provided map shows the location of an earthquake under the ocean.

The data on the map would best support a prediction of which of the following events?

• A tsunami in Sri Lanka

• An earthquake in South Africa

• A hurricane in Somalia

• Flash floods in Madagascar

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

Two maps are provided giving different information on the same area. The topographic map shows the elevation of the land, and the rainfall map displays how much rain fell in the area over a span of two days.

Mass wasting occurs where heavy rains fall on hills with steep slopes. Using the information provided, in what quadrant of the map would mass wasting be most reasonably predicted to occur?

• Northeast

• Southeast

• Southwest

• Northwest

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

The table provides data on the earthquakes recorded for four different cities over a ten year period.

Assuming the data indicates patterns that will continue, which city will most likely experience an earthquake of a magnitude of 5.0 or higher in the next year or two?

• City W

• City X

• City Y

• City Z

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

This map provides historical data on storm surges associated with hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico. A storm surge is a rise of water that can be as high as 5 meters or more.

To protect citizens from storm surges, cities sometimes build levees, walls that can hold back the water. Using the information provided, which city would most likely be able to protect its citizens with a levee that is only 3 meters in height?

• Galveston

• Lake Charles

• New Iberia

• Bay Saint Louis

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

NGSS.MS-ETS1-1

NGSS.MS-ETS1-2

The temperature, wind, clouds, and precipitation in the atmosphere

• Atmospheric Conditions

• Climate

• Humidity

• Temperature

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Extreme weather events such as floods, hurricanes, and tornadoes; classified by the extent and intensity of their impact on the ecosystem

• Catastrophic Events

• Weather

• Climate

• Earthquake

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

A rising body of water that submerges normally dry land

• Flood

• Typhoon

• Weather

• Hurricane

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

A prediction or estimate of future events

• Forecast

• Weather

• Climate

• Hurricane

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

Forces resulting from processes occurring within Earth’s crust

• Geologic Forces

• Plate Tectonics

• Divergent Boundary

• Seafloor Spreading

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-1