Earthquakes

Question 1

What is an earthquake caused by

Answer 1

A sudden movement between the plates

Question 2

What is an earthquake

Answer 2

When the ground shakes suddenly because a piece of the earths crust has moved

Question 3

The movement of the earths crust produces what

Answer 3

Very strong shockwaves that travel out from the centre of the crust just like a stone being thrown into a pond

Question 4

Where do the shockwaves spread out from

Answer 4

The focus

Question 5

What is the focus

Answer 5

The point where the earth-quake starts

Question 6

Near the focus the waves are what

Answer 6

Stronger and more damage occurs

Question 7

What is he epicentre

Answer 7

The point on the earths surface immediately above the focus

Question 8

Shockwaves or seismic waves are recorded on what

Answer 8

A graph called a seismograph

Question 9

The strength of an earthquake is measured on what

Answer 9

The richtor scale

Question 10

What is the richtor scale

Answer 10

A 9 point scale and at each point the strength of the earthquake is 10 times greater than the one before. At point 9 on the scale, the ground can open up

Question 11

What does the richtor scale measure

Answer 11

Measures energy released from an earthquake, where as the Mercalli scale measures intensity

Question 12

Give two short term effects of earthquakes

Answer 12

Landslides may occur and tsunamis may cause flooding in coastal areas

People may be killed or injured. Homes may be destroyed. Transport and communication links may be disrupted. Water pipes may burst and water supplies may be contaminated

Question 13

Give two long term effects of earthquakes

Answer 13

Shops and businesses may be destroyed. The damage to transport and and communication links can make trade difficult and businesses may take a long time to recover from this

The cost of rebuilding a settlement is high and could take years. Investment in the area may be focused only on repairing the damage caused by the earthquake. Income could be lost

Question 14

How can the earthquake hazard be reduced in the future

Answer 14

We can’t prevent natural earthquakes from occurring but we can significantly mitigate their effects by identifying hazards, building safer structures and providing education on earthquake safety. By preparing for natural earthquakes we can also reduce the risk from human induced earthquakes