Earthquake Knowledge Quiz

What causes earthquakes?

• Volcanic eruptions

• Shifting and sliding of tectonic plates

• Changes in weather patterns

• Rotation of the Earth

How many major earthquakes (magnitude 8.0 or above) typically occur each year?

• None

• One or two

• Five to ten

• More than twenty

Which of these is NOT one of the Earth's major layers?

• Inner core

• Outer core

• Mantle

• Atmosphere

What are the edges around tectonic plates called?

• Fault lines

• Plate boundaries

• Crust edges

• Tectonic borders

Which of these is NOT a way that tectonic plates move?

• Subduction

• Lateral sliding

• Spreading

• Rotating

What is the area called where 90% of all earthquakes begin?

• The Pacific Ocean

• The Ring of Fire

• The Atlantic Ridge

• The Earthquake Zone

What device do scientists use to measure the intensity of an earthquake?

• Richter scale

• Seismograph

• Thermometer

• Barometer

What is the epicenter of an earthquake?

• The deepest point underground where the earthquake starts

• The location of the earthquake on the Earth's surface

• The point where two tectonic plates meet

• The area that experiences the least shaking

How many earthquakes are officially reported each year in the United States?

• About 20

• About 100

• About 1,000

• About 10,000

What can you use to make a simple model of a seismograph at home?

• A cardboard box, string, plastic cup, and marker

• A glass of water and a table

• A ball and a sloped surface

• A ruler and a piece of paper