2.6 Earthquake Case Study | Sulawesi Earthquake

What geological fault does Sulawesi sit on?

• Palu-Koru Fault

• San Andrea Fault

• Mariana Trench

• Pacific Ring of Fire

Answer explanation

Sulawesi sits on the Palu-Koru Fault, making it the geological fault in that region.

Which plates border the Sunda Plate? 

• Indo-Australian Plate and Philippine Plate

•  Eurasian Plate and Pacific Plate

• African Plate and South American Plate

• North American Plate and Antarctic Plate

Answer explanation

The Sunda Plate borders the Indo-Australian Plate and Philippine Plate, making them the correct choices.

What type of boundary is the Palu-Koru Fault? 

• Convergent boundary

• Subduction boundary

• Transform (Conservative) boundary

• Divergent boundary

Answer explanation

The Palu-Koru Fault is a Transform (Conservative) boundary where tectonic plates slide past each other horizontally.

Which term refers to the point on the Earth's surface directly above the earthquake's initial rupture? 

• Focus

• Seismic waves

• Epicentre

• Fault line

Answer explanation

The term 'Epicentre' refers to the point on the Earth's surface directly above the earthquake's initial rupture.

What magnitude was the earthquake that struck Sulawesi? 

• 7.5

• 8.5

• 6.5

• 5.0

Answer explanation

The correct magnitude of the earthquake that struck Sulawesi was 7.5, as indicated in the answer choices.

How deep was the focus of the earthquake? a) 5 km b) 10 km c) 15 km d) 20 km

• 15KM

• 10KM

• 20KM

• 5KM

Answer explanation

The correct depth of the earthquake's focus was 10KM as indicated in the answer choices.

Where was the epicentre of the Sulawesi earthquake located in relation to Palu? a) 70 km south b) 70 km east c) 70 km west d) 70 km north

• 70km north

• 70km south

• 70km west

• 70km east

Answer explanation

The epicentre of the Sulawesi earthquake was located 70 km north of Palu, making the correct answer choice 70km north.

What secondary hazards were produced by the earthquake?

• Hurricanes and storm surges

• Landslides and volcanic eruptions

• Tsunami and liquefaction

• Collapsing buildings and infrastructure

Answer explanation

The secondary hazards produced by the earthquake were tsunami and liquefaction.

How many people were reported missing after the earthquake? 

• 4340

• 74000

• 10340

• 640

Answer explanation

4340 people were reported missing after the earthquake, making it the correct choice.

What was the economic cost of the earthquake? 

• 3 Million USD

• 30 Million USD

• 300 Million USD

• 3 Billion USD

Answer explanation

The economic cost of the earthquake was 3 Million USD, as stated in the correct answer choice.