Quiz about Earthquakes

Question 1

A seismic station recorded the P-waves, but no S-waves, from an earthquake because S-waves were

Accepted Answer

absorbed by Earth's outer core

Answer

transmitted only through liquids

Question 2

Which table below correctly shows the characteristics of seismic waves when they reach liquid material?

Accepted Answer

Question 3

The magnitude of an earthquake is a number that represents the

Accepted Answer

energy released by an earthquake

Answer

arrival time of the first P-wave

Answer

difference in arrival times between P- and S-waves

Answer

distance to the epicenter

Question 4

Why are P-waves received, but S-waves are not received by seismic stations located on the opposite side of Earth from an earthquake epicenter?

Accepted Answer

Earth's outer core absorbs S-waves.

Answer

S-waves travel slower than P-waves.

Answer

S-waves travel faster than P-waves.

Answer

Earth's inner core absorbs S-waves

Question 5

The first S-wave of an earthquake took 10 minutes 40 seconds to travel to a seismic station from the epicenter of an earthquake. How much time did it take for the first P-wave to travel that distance?

Accepted Answer

6 minutes

Answer

4 minutes and 40 seconds

Question 6

Base your answer to the question on the diagram below and on your knowledge of Earth science. The diagram represents a cut-away view of Earth's interior and the paths of some of the seismic waves produced by an earthquake that originated below Earth's surface. Points A, B, and C represent seismic stations on Earth's surface. Only P-waves were recorded at seismic station C because P-waves travel

Accepted Answer

through liquids, while S-waves cannot

Answer

only through Earth's interior, and S-waves travel only on Earth's surface

Answer

fast enough to penetrate the core, and S-waves travel too slowly

Answer

through iron and nickel, while S-waves cannot

Question 7

Seismic station A is 5000 kilometers from the epicenter. What is the difference between the arrival time of the first P-wave and the arrival time of the first S-wave recorded at this station?

Accepted Answer

6 minutes and 40 seconds

Answer

2 minutes and 20 seconds

Answer

8 minutes and 20 seconds

Answer

15 minutes

Question 8

What is the approximate P-wave travel time from an earthquake if the P-wave arrives at the seismic station 8 minutes before the S-wave?

Accepted Answer

10 minutes

Answer

4 minutes and 20 seconds

Answer

6 minutes and 30 seconds

Question 9

A P-wave takes 5 minutes to travel from the epicenter of an earthquake to a seismic station. Approximately how many minutes will it take an S-wave to travel that same distance?

Accepted Answer

9 min

Answer

15 min

Answer

12 min

Answer

4 min

Question 10

The epicenter of an earthquake is located 6,500 kilometers away from a seismic station. If the first S-wave arrived at this seismic station at 1:30 p.m., at what time did the first P-wave arrive?

Accepted Answer

1:22 PM

Answer

1:20 PM

Answer

1:38 PM

Answer

1:40 PM

Question 11

Once a tsunami warning is issued, which action should residents of a city take to prevent loss of life?

Accepted Answer

evacuate to higher ground

Answer

board up windows

Answer

go into their basements

Answer

get under a sturdy desk or table

Question 12

The distance from the epicenter of the March 1964 earthquake to Crescent City is 2600 kilometers. How long did it take the first P-wave to reach Crescent City?

Accepted Answer

5 minutes 0 seconds

Answer

3 minutes 20 seconds

Answer

4 minutes 10 seconds

Answer

9 minutes 10 seconds

Question 13

A strong earthquake that occurs on the ocean floor could result in the formation of

Accepted Answer

a tsunami

Answer

ocean current

Answer

a fault

Answer

a topographic line

Question 14

The cross section of Earth below shows a P-wave moving away from an earthquake epicenter to seismic station A. No S-waves arrive directly at seismic station A because

Accepted Answer

some parts of the core are liquid

Answer

S-waves travel too slowly

Answer

the distance to seismic station A is too great

Answer

seismic station A is located on glacial ice

Question 15

An earthquake's magnitude can be determined by

Accepted Answer

analyzing the seismic waves recorded by a seismograph

Answer

calculating the depth of the earthquake faulting

Answer

calculating the time the earthquake occurred

Answer

comparing the speed of P-waves and S-waves

Question 16

Base your answer on the cross-sectional view of Earth below, which shows seismic waves traveling from the focus of an earthquake. Points A and B are locations on Earth's surface. Which statement best explains why only one type of seismic wave was recorded at location B?

Accepted Answer

S-waves cannot travel through the liquid outer core

Answer

S-waves cannot travel through the liquid inner core.

Answer

P-waves cannot travel through the solid outer core.

Answer

P-waves cannot travel through the solid inner core.

Question 17

A seismic station is located 2000 kilometers from the epicenter of an earthquake. Which seismogram indicates the correct time difference between the arrival of the first P-wave and the first S-wave at this station?

Accepted Answer

Question 18

A seismic station 4000 kilometers from the epicenter of an earthquake records the arrival time of the first S-wave at 1:05:40 p.m. At what time did the first P-wave arrive at this station?

Accepted Answer

1:00:00 p.m.

Answer

12:58:40 p.m.

Answer

1:05:40 p.m.

Question 19

The first S-wave reaches a seismic station 22 minutes after an earthquake occurred. How long did it take the first P-wave to reach the same seismic station?

Accepted Answer

12 minutes 00 seconds

Answer

8 minutes 50 seconds

Answer

10 minutes 00 seconds

Question 20

An earthquake occurs at 10:05 a.m. At 10:09 a.m., the first P-wave from this earthquake is detected at a seismic station. Approximately how many kilometers (km) from the epicenter is this seismic station located?

Accepted Answer

2000 km

Answer

1000 km

Answer

2600 km

Answer

5600 km

Question 21

The first P-wave of an earthquake travels 5600 kilometers from the epicenter and arrives at a seismic station at 10:05 a.m. At what time did this earthquake occur?

Accepted Answer

9:56 a.m.

Answer

9:49 a.m.

Answer

10:02 a.m.

Question 22

A seismic P-wave is recorded at 2:25 p.m. at a seismic station located 7600 kilometers from the epicenter of an earthquake. At what time did the earthquake occur?

Accepted Answer

2:14 p.m.

Answer

2:05 p.m.

Answer

2:11 p.m.

Question 23

Base your answer on the graph below and on your knowledge of Earth science. The diagram represents a portion of Earth's interior. Letters A, B, and C represent interior layers. The graph shows the velocity of P-waves and S-waves at various depths in Earth's interior. Which layers of Earth's interior are represented by letters A and B?

Accepted Answer

A is the lithosphere and B is the asthenosphere

Answer

A is the crust and B is the rigid mantle.

Answer

A is the asthenosphere and B is the crust.

Answer

A is the rigid mantle and B is the lithosphere

Question 24

Which two Earth layers are separated by the Moho boundary?

Accepted Answer

crust and rigid mantle

Answer

rigid mantle and plastic mantle

Answer

outer core and stiffer mantle

Answer

stiffer mantle and asthenosphere

Question 25

A model of Earth's internal structure is shown below. Analysis of which type of data led to the development of this model?

Accepted Answer

seismic waves

Answer

depth of Earth's oceans

Answer

electromagnetic radiation

Question 26

Base your answer on the diagram below, which represents zones of Earth's interior, identified by letters A through E. The scale shows depths below Earth's surface, measured in kilometers. The Moho is a boundary located in zone

Accepted Answer

A

Answer

B

Answer

E

Answer

D

Question 27

Base your answer on the diagram of Earth shown below. Letters B, C, and D represent layers of Earth. Letter Q represents a location on Earth's surface. Which letter best represents Earth's mantle?

Accepted Answer

B

Answer

Q

Answer

C

Answer

D

Question 28

Base your answer on the cross section below, which shows the paths of seismic waves traveling from an earthquake epicenter through the different layers of Earth's interior. No P-waves or S-waves are received in the shadow zone because

Accepted Answer

P-waves are refracted and S-waves are absorbed by Earth's outer core

Answer

P-waves are absorbed and S-waves are refracted by Earth's outer core

Answer

both the P-waves and S-waves are refracted by Earth's outer core

Question 29

Which part of Earth's interior is inferred to have convection currents that cause tectonic plates to move?

Accepted Answer

asthenosphere

Answer

rigid mantle

Answer

outer core

Answer

inner core

Question 30

Compared to the thickness and density of the continental crust, the relative thickness and density of Earth's oceanic crust are

Accepted Answer

thinner and more dense

Answer

thinner and less dense

Answer

thicker and less dense

Answer

thicker and more dense

Question 31

The map below shows the continent of Australia. Letters A and B indicate locations on Earth's crustal surface. Compared to the crust at A, the crust at B is

Accepted Answer

thinner and more dense

Answer

thinner and less dense

Answer

thicker and less dense

Answer

thicker and more dense

Question 32

The pie graph below represents the composition, in percent by mass, of the chemical elements found in an Earth layer. The composition of which Earth layer is represented by the pie graph?

Accepted Answer

crust

Answer

outer core

Answer

hydrosphere

Question 33

Which graph best represents the percentage by mass of elements of Earth's crust?

Accepted Answer

Question 34

Earth's crustal bedrock at the Mid-Atlantic Ridge is composed mostly of

Accepted Answer

basalt, with a density of 3.0 g/cm³

Answer

basalt, with a density of 2.7 g/cm³

Answer

granite, with a density of 2.7 g/cm³

Answer

granite, with a density of 3.0 g/cm³

Question 35

Which map best represents the pattern of magnetic polarity in the minerals of ocean-floor bedrock on each side of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge?

Accepted Answer

Question 36

The interior of Earth between a depth of 5200 kilometers and 6300 kilometers is inferred to be composed mostly of

Accepted Answer

iron and nickel

Answer

silicon and iron

Answer

silicon and oxygen

Answer

iron and lead

Question 37

Which factor is responsible for the circulation of convection currents occurring in the hydrosphere, troposphere, and mantle?

Accepted Answer

density differences

Answer

radioactive decay

Answer

solar radiation

Answer

planetary winds

Question 38

Which table correctly matches the average density and composition of continental and oceanic crusts?

Accepted Answer

Question 39

The pressure at the interface between Earth's outer core and inner core is inferred to be

Accepted Answer

3.1 million atmospheres

Answer

0.2 million atmosphere

Answer

1.5 million atmospheres

Answer

3.6 million atmospheres

Question 40

The diagram below shows the cutaway views of the inferred interior layers of the planets Mercury and Venus. What is the reason for the development of the interior layers of these two planets?

Accepted Answer

Gravity separated the cores and mantles due to their density differences.

Answer

Impact events added the mantle rock above the cores.

Answer

Heat from the Sun melted the surface rocks to form the mantles above the cores.

Question 41

Which layer of Earth's interior is inferred to be composed mostly of iron and nickel, and has an interior temperature that is greater than its melting point?

Accepted Answer

outer core

Answer

plastic mantle

Answer

stiffer mantle

Answer

inner core

Question 42

Which layer of Earth's interior is inferred to be composed of solid iron and nickel?

Accepted Answer

inner core

Answer

asthenosphere

Answer

stiffer mantle

Answer

outer core

Question 43

The photograph below shows the bedrock structure of an outcrop. Which process is responsible for the folding of this bedrock?

Accepted Answer

crustal movement

Answer

volcanic activity

Answer

earthquake activity

Question 44

Base your answer on the cross section below and on your knowledge of Earth science. Letters A through E represent rock units. Letter F represents a geologic feature. Some layers contain index fossils. Which geologic principle could be used to support the inference that rock layers A through D experienced crustal movement?

Accepted Answer

original horizontality

Answer

crosscutting relationships

Answer

contact metamorphism

Question 45

The photograph below shows the bedrock structure of a limestone outcrop. Which process is responsible for the deformation of this bedrock?

Accepted Answer

folding

Answer

weathering

Answer

mass movement

Answer

volcanic activity

Question 46

The photograph below shows the East African Rift Valley in Africa. Which tectonic movement of Earth's crust is most likely responsible for this feature?

Accepted Answer

divergence of continental crust

Answer

convergence of continental crust

Answer

convergence of oceanic crust

Answer

divergence of oceanic crust

Question 47

Which two hot spots are located on the same tectonic plate?

Accepted Answer

Canary Islands and St. Helena Hot Spots

Answer

Tasman and Easter Island Hot Spots

Answer

Hawaii and Yellowstone Hot Spots

Answer

Iceland and Bouvet Hot Spots

Question 48

The Mariana Trench is Earth's deepest oceanic trench. This trench formed as the Pacific Plate was

Accepted Answer

subducting under the Philippine Plate

Answer

overriding the Philippine Plate

Answer

overriding the Eurasian Plate

Answer

subducting under the Eurasian Plate

Question 49

The aerial photograph below shows two streams that have been displaced by tectonic movement along the San Andreas fault. The arrows show the relative direction of movement along the fault. This movement occurred along which type of plate boundary?

Accepted Answer

transform

Answer

convergent

Answer

divergent

Answer

complex

Question 50

The cross section below represents a lithospheric plate boundary. In which diagram do the arrows show the relative directions of plate movement at this type of plate boundary?

Accepted Answer

Question 51

The Hawaiian Islands were formed as a result of

Accepted Answer

an oceanic plate moving over a mantle hot spot

Answer

lava flowing over Earth's surface where two tectonic plates move apart

Answer

two oceanic plates colliding to form an island arc

Answer

tectonic plates sliding past each other

Question 52

Which mantle hot spot is correctly matched to its overlying tectonic plate?

Accepted Answer

Yellowstone Hot Spot-North American Plate

Answer

Tasman Hot Spot-Pacific Plate

Answer

Canary Island Hot Spot-Eurasian Plate

Answer

St. Helena Hot Spot-South American Plate

Question 53

The map shows the location of the epicenter of a major earthquake that occurred about 1700 years ago. Point A represents a location on a tectonic plate boundary. Plates X and Y represent major tectonic plates. The island of Crete; the Anatolian Plate, which is a minor tectonic plate; and the Hellenic Trench have been labeled. Arrows indicate the relative directions of plate motion. What are the names of the major tectonic plates X and Y?

Accepted Answer

X = Eurasian Plate; Y = African Plate

Answer

X = Eurasian Plate; Y = Arabian Plate

Answer

X = Indian-Australian Plate; Y = African Plate

Answer

X = Indian-Australian Plate; Y = Arabian Plate

Question 54

The map shows the location of the epicenter of a major earthquake that occurred about 1700 years ago. Point A represents a location on a tectonic plate boundary. Plates X and Y represent major tectonic plates. The island of Crete; the Anatolian Plate, which is a minor tectonic plate; and the Hellenic Trench have been labeled. Arrows indicate the relative directions of plate motion. Which type of plate boundary is represented at point A?

Accepted Answer

transform

Answer

divergent

Answer

convergent

Answer

complex

Question 55

Which two mantle hot spots are located at mid-ocean ridges?

Accepted Answer

Easter Island and Bouvet

Answer

Iceland and Yellowstone

Answer

Galapagos and Tasman

Answer

St. Helena and Hawaii

Question 56

Which tectonic feature is associated with a complex or uncertain plate boundary?

Accepted Answer

East African Rift

Answer

Southwest Indian Ridge

Answer

Mariana Trench

Question 57

On the map below, points A through D represent locations on Earth's surface. Which location is positioned over a mantle hot spot?

Accepted Answer

A

Answer

B

Answer

C

Answer

D

Question 58

Base your answer on the map of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge shown below. Points A through D are locations on the ocean floor. Line XY connects locations in North America and Africa. In which cross section do the arrows best show the convection occurring within the asthenosphere beneath line XY?

Accepted Answer

Question 59

Which observation about the Mid-Atlantic Ridge region provides the best evidence that the seafloor has been spreading for millions of years?

Accepted Answer

Seafloor bedrock is younger near the ridge and older farther away.

Answer

The bedrock of the ridge and nearby seafloor is igneous rock.

Answer

The ridge is the location of irregular volcanic eruptions.

Answer

Several faults cut across the ridge and nearby seafloor.

Question 60

Which two tectonic plates are separated by a mid-ocean ridge?

Accepted Answer

North American and Eurasian

Answer

Indian-Australian and Eurasian

Answer

Indian-Australian and Pacific

Answer

North American and South American

Question 61

In which Earth layer are most convection currents that cause seafloor spreading thought to be located?

Accepted Answer

asthenosphere

Answer

crust

Answer

outer core

Answer

inner core

Question 62

Which geologic feature is composed of the youngest crustal bedrock?

Accepted Answer

Mid-Atlantic Ridge

Answer

Peru-Chile Trench

Answer

Adirondack Mountains

Answer

San Andreas Fault

Question 63

Base your answer on the cross section below and on your knowledge of Earth science. Letters A through E represent rock units. Letter F represents a geologic feature. Some layers contain index fossils. During the Ordovician Period when layer C was forming, most of the United States was inferred to be located

Accepted Answer

slightly south of the equator

Answer

slightly north of the equator

Answer

at the North Pole

Question 64

Which landmass is moving northward with Australia as part of the same tectonic plate'?

Accepted Answer

India

Answer

North America

Answer

South America

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