Measuring and predicting tectonic hazards

Question 1

What are the negatives of measuring volcanic activity

Answer 1

it is still not possible to accurately predict when an eruption will occur or how long it will be

Question 2

How can scientists measure to predict for volcanic eruptions

Answer 2

Its easier and more reliable to predict volcanoes compared to earthquakes because scientists can measure changes in gas emissions, ground deformation, hydrology, temperature changes and seismic activity

Question 3

What are the negative of using the seismic gap theory

Answer 3

Although it presents a potential measurement of predicting earthquakes, there is still no definitive proven measure to predict earthquakes

Question 4

What does a large seismic gap suggest

Answer 4

A seismic gap with no earthquakes can be interpreted as indicating an increased likelihood of a significant earthquake ( which can allow for evacuation of high risk areas)

Question 5

Explain the Seismic gap theory

Answer 5

Seismic gap theory suggest that over a period of time all parts a fault must attain the same average level of movement, either through many minor or a few very large earthquakes.

Question 6

What are the negatives of predicting tectonic events

Answer 6

Too many inaccurate predictions may increase the impact of future hazards as people begin to ignore warnings

Question 7

What are the benefits of predicting tectonic events

Answer 7

An accurate prediction can reduce the impact of a hazard by allowing the evacuation of danger zones

Question 8

How can predictability of tectonic hazards be measured

Answer 8

The relationship between tectonic hazards and plate boundaries allows the prediction of when an event will occur

Question 9

What are the negatives of VEI as magnitude measurement for volcanoes

Answer 9

-Doesn’t take into account sulphur emissions, therefore no
account of effect on the atmosphere and climate change
- No account is taken of the different densities of erupted
materials

Question 10

How is VEI measured

Answer 10

The volume of material erupted
The eruption cloud height
The direction of the eruption

Question 11

How can magnitude by measured (Volcanoes)
What is the range on the scale

Answer 11

Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI)
Scale ranges from 1-8

Question 12

How can magnitude by measured (Earthquakes)

Answer 12

Richter scale
- based on amplitude of seismic waves measured with a
seismograph ranging from 1-9, but there is no upper limit
Moment Magnitude (MM) scale
- used since 2002 by United States Geological Survey (USGS)
for all modern, large earthquakes
- scale from 1-9
- Measures the energy released
Mercalli scale
- A qualitative scale that measures intensity based on the
effects on the Earth’s surface
- uses a scale from I to XII