Earthquake Waves and Epicenter Quiz

Which of the following correctly defines P waves (Primary waves)?

• P waves are longitudinal waves that travel through the interior of the Earth.

• P waves are transverse waves that travel along the surface of the Earth.

• P waves are surface waves that cause the most damage during an earthquake.

• P waves are waves that can only travel through liquids.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS4-1

P waves and S waves differ in terms of speed and movement direction. Which of the following statements is true?

• P waves are faster and move in a compressional direction.

• S waves are faster and move in a compressional direction.

• P waves are slower and move in a shear direction.

• S waves are slower and move in a compressional direction.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-1

S waves cannot travel through liquids because they are shear waves. What happens to S waves when they encounter a liquid layer within the Earth?

• They are absorbed by the liquid layer.

• They are reflected back.

• They are refracted through the liquid.

• They stop and do not pass through.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-2

Identify and explain which type of wave arrives first during an earthquake and why.

• P-waves, because they are compressional waves and travel faster through the Earth.

• S-waves, because they are shear waves and travel slower through the Earth.

• Surface waves, because they travel along the Earth's surface.

• Love waves, because they are a type of surface wave.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS4-1

What is the term for the point on the Earth's surface directly above the focus of an earthquake?

• Epicenter

• Focus

• Magnitude

• Seismic Wave

The focus and the epicenter of an earthquake are different. Why is this distinction important?

• The focus is the point on the Earth's surface directly above the epicenter.

• The epicenter is the point within the Earth where the earthquake starts.

• The focus is the point within the Earth where the earthquake starts, and the epicenter is the point on the Earth's surface directly above it.

• The epicenter is the point where the earthquake is strongest, and the focus is the point where it is weakest.

Scientists locate an earthquake’s epicenter using triangulation by measuring the difference in arrival times of seismic waves at three different locations. Which of the following best describes this process?

• Using GPS coordinates to pinpoint the epicenter.

• Measuring the difference in arrival times of seismic waves at three different locations.

• Observing the physical damage caused by the earthquake.

• Analyzing weather patterns to determine the epicenter.

The Richter scale is used to measure what?

• Temperature

• Wind speed

• Earthquake magnitude

• Rainfall

The concept of earthquake magnitude relates to the energy released. Which of the following statements best explains this relationship?

• Magnitude measures the size of an earthquake and is directly proportional to the energy released.

• Magnitude measures the duration of an earthquake and is inversely proportional to the energy released.

• Magnitude measures the depth of an earthquake and has no relation to the energy released.

• Magnitude measures the speed of seismic waves and is directly proportional to the energy released.

A seismograph is used to detect and record what natural phenomenon?

• Earthquakes

• Tornadoes

• Volcanic eruptions

• Floods

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2