Origins of Earthquakes

The transcript discusses the 1964 Alaska earthquake, the largest recorded in North America, detailing its impact on Anchorage and the surrounding region. It explains the concepts of epicenter and focus in earthquakes and describes how tsunamis are triggered by underwater earthquakes or landslides, highlighting the catastrophic effects of the 1964 event.

What significant event took place in Alaska on March 27, 1964?

• A severe snowstorm

• A massive flood

• The largest recorded earthquake in North America

• A volcanic eruption

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

• Epicenter

• Focus

• Fault line

• Seismic zone

Where was the epicenter of the 1964 Alaska earthquake located?

• Near the North Pole

• Directly under Anchorage

• In the Pacific Ocean

• 130 kilometers southeast of Anchorage

What natural phenomenon can be triggered by underwater earthquakes?

• Tsunamis

• Tornadoes

• Hurricanes

• Landslides

What was one of the effects of the tsunamis caused by the 1964 Alaska earthquake?

• They caused a drought

• They led to a volcanic eruption

• They flooded coastal areas and moved ships inland

• They created a new island