Predicting Natural Disasters

Front

What should you do in an earthquake?

Back

Drop, cover, and hold. This means to drop to your hands and knees, cover your head and neck, and hold on until the shaking stops.

Front

What instrument do seismologists use to measure the magnitude of earthquakes?

Back

Seismograph. It records the motion of the ground during an earthquake.

Front

Earth is broken into pieces called _________.

Back

Tectonic plates. These plates float on the semi-fluid layer of the mantle.

Front

Where in the United States do hurricanes typically occur the most?

Back

East coast. This area is more prone to hurricanes due to warm ocean waters.

Front

A _________ occurs when an earthquake happens on the ocean floor.

Back

Tsunami. It is a series of ocean waves caused by the displacement of a large volume of water.

Front

What is the term for the boundary where two tectonic plates meet?

Back

Plate boundary. This is where most earthquakes occur.

Front

What natural disaster is characterized by strong winds and heavy rain?

Back

Hurricane. It forms over warm ocean waters and can cause significant damage.

Front

What is the scale used to measure the intensity of earthquakes?

Back

Richter scale. It quantifies the amount of energy released by an earthquake.

Front

What is a volcanic eruption?

Back

It is the release of magma, gas, and ash from a volcano.

Front

What is the main cause of tsunamis?

Back

Underwater earthquakes. They displace water and create large waves.