Earthquake Practice

What is the difference between the focus and epicenter of an earthquake?

• The focus is the point where seismic waves are detected first; the epicenter is where they are strongest.
• The focus is the underground origin of the earthquake; the epicenter is the point on the surface directly above it.
• The focus is always on the surface; the epicenter is underground.
• The focus is the location of the earthquake's aftermath; the epicenter is where it starts.

Tags

VA.ES.7.c.

How do the two types of seismic body waves differ?

• P-waves are faster and can travel through solids, liquids, and gases, while S-waves are slower and can only travel through solids.
• P-waves are slower and can only travel through solids.
• S-waves can travel through solids, liquids, and gases, while P-waves cannot.
• P-waves and S-waves travel at the same speed through all materials.

Tags

VA.ES.7.c.

Which of these statements describe how different

parts of the seismograph shown would move during an

earthquake?

• The pen moves up and down

• The drum moves up and down

• The spring lengthens and shortens

• The height of the weight moves up and down

Tags

VA.ES.7.c.

The map shows earthquakes with a magnitude greater

than 4.5 that have occurred in the United States

between 2000 and 2018. Based on the map data,

which state is most likely to experience a significant

earthquake in the future?

• Texas
• New York
• Florida
• California

Tags

VA.ES.7.c.

Why is there a shadow zone for P waves between

approximately 105 and 140 degrees from the focus of

an earthquake?

• P waves are absorbed by the mantle at these angles.
• The shadow zone is caused by the reflection of S waves.
• P waves travel faster in the outer core than in the mantle.
• P waves are refracted at the boundary between the mantle and core.

Tags

VA.ES.7.c.

​ (a)   a sudden motion or trembling of Earth caused by the abrupt release of slowly accumulated elastic energy in rocks

• Earthquake
• Surface wave
• Foreshock
• Epicenter
• Body wave

Tags

VA.ES.7.c.

________________ is a body wave formed by

alternating compression and expansion of rock

parallel to the direction of wave travel

• P-wave
• Fault wave

• Surface wave
• S-wave

Tags

VA.ES.7.c.

Earthquakes are caused by ____________________

• volcanic eruptions
• seismic waves

• body waves moving through Earth's interior

• sudden release of elastic energy

Tags

VA.ES.7.c.

All of the following are true regarding P waves, except

• P waves are recorded first on a seismograph

• P waves cause the most structural damage

• P waves are slower than S waves.
• P waves can travel through liquids.

Tags

VA.ES.7.c.

All earthquakes are formed by the release of stored energy.

• TRUE

• FALSE

Tags

VA.ES.7.c.