Earthquake Quiz For Kids

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| By Kymyers
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  • 1/10 Questions

    Most earthquakes happen here : _______________________

    • The middle of the ocean
    • Plate boundaries
    • The middle of a plate
    • Everywhere
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About This Quiz

The 'Earthquake quiz for kids' explores key concepts about earthquakes. It assesses knowledge on seismic activities, scales for measuring earthquakes, and types of stresses causing faults. This quiz enhances understanding of natural disasters, making learning about Earth's processes engaging and informative.

Earthquake Quizzes & Trivia

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  • 2. 

    Scientists use _______________________ to measure the strength of an earthquake.

    • People's observations

    • Seismographs

    • GPS

    • Tremor finders

    Correct Answer
    A. Seismographs
    Explanation
    Seismographs are the instruments used by scientists to measure the strength of an earthquake. These devices are designed to detect and record the vibrations caused by seismic waves. By analyzing the data collected from seismographs, scientists can determine various characteristics of an earthquake, such as its magnitude and intensity. Seismographs are essential tools in earthquake monitoring and research, providing valuable information for understanding and predicting seismic activity.

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  • 3. 

    The Richter Scale measures ___________________ an earthquake.

    • The amount of damage done by

    • The number of people who felt

    • The number of occurrences of

    • The magnitude of

    Correct Answer
    A. The magnitude of
    Explanation
    The Richter Scale measures the magnitude of an earthquake. The magnitude refers to the size or energy released by the earthquake at its source. It is determined by measuring the amplitude of seismic waves recorded by seismographs. The Richter Scale is logarithmic, meaning that each whole number increase on the scale represents a tenfold increase in the amplitude of the seismic waves and approximately 31.6 times more energy released. Therefore, the Richter Scale provides a quantitative measure of the strength or intensity of an earthquake.

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  • 4. 

    Normal faults are created by this type of stress

    • Shear

    • Compression

    • Tension

    • Strike

    Correct Answer
    A. Tension
    Explanation
    Normal faults are created by tensional stress. Tensional stress occurs when forces pull apart or stretch the Earth's crust. This type of stress causes the hanging wall to move downward relative to the footwall, resulting in a normal fault. In a normal fault, the hanging wall moves down along a inclined fault plane, creating a gap or a rift in the Earth's crust.

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  • 5. 

    Which type of seismic waves move the fastest?

    • S Waves

    • P Waves

    • Surface Waves

    • They all travel the same speed

    Correct Answer
    A. P Waves
    Explanation
    P Waves, also known as primary waves, are the fastest seismic waves. These waves are compressional waves that travel through solids, liquids, and gases. They have the ability to push and pull particles in the same direction as the wave is moving, allowing them to travel faster than other types of seismic waves. Surface waves and S Waves, on the other hand, are slower and have different modes of particle motion.

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  • 6. 

    Which type of seismic waves are the most destructive?

    • S Waves

    • P Waves

    • Surface Waves

    • Sub Surface Waves

    Correct Answer
    A. Surface Waves
    Explanation
    Surface waves are the most destructive type of seismic waves. These waves travel along the Earth's surface and cause the ground to move in a rolling or swaying motion. They have a larger amplitude and longer period compared to other seismic waves, which results in greater damage to buildings and infrastructure. Surface waves are responsible for the majority of the destruction during earthquakes, causing shaking and ground displacement that can lead to landslides, building collapses, and other hazards.

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  • 7. 

    How many seismograms are needed to find the epicenter of an earthquake?

    • One

    • Two

    • Three

    • Four

    Correct Answer
    A. Three
    Explanation
    To find the epicenter of an earthquake, three seismograms are needed. Seismograms are records of the ground motion caused by an earthquake. By comparing the arrival times of the seismic waves at different seismograph stations, scientists can triangulate the epicenter. The time difference between the arrival of P-waves and S-waves at each station helps determine the distance from the epicenter. With three seismograms, the intersection of the circles representing the distances from each station will pinpoint the epicenter. Therefore, three seismograms are required for accurate determination of the earthquake's epicenter.

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  • 8. 

    The Mercalli scale measures ______________________ an earthquake.

    • The strength of

    • The area covered by

    • The magnitude of

    • The amount of damage done by

    Correct Answer
    A. The amount of damage done by
    Explanation
    The Mercalli scale measures the amount of damage done by an earthquake. This scale is used to assess the effects of an earthquake on structures, the environment, and people. It takes into account factors such as the intensity of shaking, the extent of ground rupture, and the level of damage to buildings and infrastructure. By evaluating the damage caused by an earthquake, the Mercalli scale provides valuable information for understanding its impact and helping with disaster response and recovery efforts.

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  • 9. 

    What does the amount of time between the arrival of the P Waves and the arrival of the S Waves tell a scientist?

    • How strong the earthquake was

    • The direction of the earthquake's focus

    • The magnitude of the earthquake

    • The distance the epicenter is from the seismograph

    Correct Answer
    A. The distance the epicenter is from the seismograph
    Explanation
    The amount of time between the arrival of the P Waves and the arrival of the S Waves tells a scientist the distance the epicenter is from the seismograph.

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  • 10. 

    Scientists use _________________________ to find an earthquakes measurment on the Mercalli scale.

    • People's observations

    • Seismographs

    • Seismograms

    • GPS

    Correct Answer
    A. People's observations
    Explanation
    Scientists use people's observations to find an earthquake's measurement on the Mercalli scale. This is because the Mercalli scale is a subjective measurement that assesses the intensity of an earthquake based on the effects it has on people, buildings, and the environment. By gathering information from individuals who experienced the earthquake, scientists can determine the level of shaking and damage caused, which helps in determining the earthquake's intensity on the Mercalli scale. This method complements the use of seismographs, seismograms, and GPS, which provide objective data on the earthquake's magnitude and location.

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Quiz Review Timeline (Updated): Sep 16, 2024 +

Our quizzes are rigorously reviewed, monitored and continuously updated by our expert board to maintain accuracy, relevance, and timeliness.

  • Current Version
  • Sep 16, 2024
    Quiz Edited by
    ProProfs Editorial Team
  • Feb 17, 2011
    Quiz Created by
    Kymyers
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