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(A) Epicentre Explanation: The epicentre is the point on the Earth's surface directly above the focus (hypocentre) of an earthquake, where seismic waves are first felt.

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(B) P-waves Explanation: P-waves (primary waves) are the fastest type of seismic wave, traveling through both solids and liquids.

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(B) Richter scale Explanation: The Richter scale is commonly used to measure the magnitude of an earthquake, quantifying the energy released.

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(C) Strike-slip fault Explanation: A strike-slip fault is associated with horizontal movement of tectonic plates, where the plates slide past each other laterally.

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(B) Underwater earthquakes Explanation: Underwater earthquakes, especially those that cause significant vertical displacement of the seafloor, are the main cause of tsunamis.

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(C) Seismometer Explanation: A seismometer is an instrument used to detect and record seismic waves generated by earthquakes.

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(B) Intensity Explanation: Intensity measures the amount of ground shaking at a specific location, often described using the Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) scale.

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(C) Surface waves Explanation: Surface waves, which travel along the Earth's surface, cause the most damage during an earthquake due to their larger amplitude and longer duration.

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(B) A smaller earthquake that precedes the main shock Explanation: A foreshock is a smaller earthquake that occurs before the main shock of a larger seismic event.

Question 1

Answer

Accepted Answer

(A) Epicentre
Explanation: The epicentre is the point on the Earth's surface directly above the focus (hypocentre) of an earthquake, where seismic waves are first felt.

Question 2

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Accepted Answer

(B) P-waves
Explanation: P-waves (primary waves) are the fastest type of seismic wave, traveling through both solids and liquids.

Question 3

Answer

Accepted Answer

(B) Richter scale
Explanation: The Richter scale is commonly used to measure the magnitude of an earthquake, quantifying the energy released.

Question 4

Answer

Accepted Answer

(C) Strike-slip fault
Explanation: A strike-slip fault is associated with horizontal movement of tectonic plates, where the plates slide past each other laterally.

Question 5

Answer

Accepted Answer

(B) Underwater earthquakes
Explanation: Underwater earthquakes, especially those that cause significant vertical displacement of the seafloor, are the main cause of tsunamis.

Question 6

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Accepted Answer

(C) Seismometer
Explanation: A seismometer is an instrument used to detect and record seismic waves generated by earthquakes.

Question 7

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Accepted Answer

(B) Intensity
Explanation: Intensity measures the amount of ground shaking at a specific location, often described using the Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) scale.

Question 8

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Accepted Answer

(C) Surface waves
Explanation: Surface waves, which travel along the Earth's surface, cause the most damage during an earthquake due to their larger amplitude and longer duration.

Question 9

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(B) A smaller earthquake that precedes the main shock
Explanation: A foreshock is a smaller earthquake that occurs before the main shock of a larger seismic event.

Question 10

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(A) Magnitude measures the size of an earthquake; intensity measures the damage caused
Explanation: Magnitude is a measure of the total energy released by an earthquake, while intensity measures the effects and damage caused by the earthquake at specific locations.

Question 11

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(B) Hypocentre
Explanation: The hypocentre, also known as the focus, is the initial rupture point within the Earth where an earthquake originates, and seismic waves are first generated.

Question 12

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(C) Normal fault
Explanation: A normal fault is created by tensional forces, causing the hanging wall to move downward relative to the footwall.

Question 13

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(C) Outer core
Explanation: P-waves travel through all layers of the Earth, including the crust, mantle, and core, while S-waves travel through the crust and mantle but cannot travel through the liquid outer core.

Question 14

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(B) By triangulating data from three or more seismograph stations
Explanation: Seismologists locate the epicentre of an earthquake by triangulating data from at least three seismograph stations, using the arrival times of P-waves and S-waves.

Question 15

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(C) Moment magnitude scale
Explanation: The moment magnitude scale measures the total energy released by an earthquake and is considered more accurate than the Richter scale for large earthquakes.

Question 16

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(B) Earthquake
Explanation: An earthquake is characterized by the sudden release of stress along a fault line, resulting in ground shaking.

Question 17

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(B) S-waves
Explanation: S-waves, or secondary waves, move the ground up and down or side to side and only travel through solids.

Question 18

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(D) The observed effects and damage caused by an earthquake
Explanation: The Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) scale measures the observed effects and damage caused by an earthquake, describing the intensity of ground shaking at different locations.

Question 19

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(C) It occurs when one tectonic plate is forced beneath another
Explanation: A subduction zone earthquake occurs when one tectonic plate is forced beneath another, often resulting in powerful seismic activity.

Question 20

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(B) An area where no earthquakes have occurred for a long period
Explanation: A seismic gap is an area along a fault where no earthquakes have occurred for a long period, which may indicate the potential for a future significant earthquake.

Question 21

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(B) When water-saturated sediments lose their strength and behave like a liquid during shaking
Explanation: Liquefaction occurs when water-saturated sediments lose their strength and stiffness due to the shaking during an earthquake, causing the ground to behave like a liquid.

Question 22

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(B) To detect and record seismic waves
Explanation: A seismograph is an instrument used to detect and record the vibrations produced by seismic waves during an earthquake.

Question 23

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(A) Release of energy during an earthquake
Explanation: Elastic rebound theory describes the gradual buildup of stress along a fault line, which is eventually released as an earthquake when the rocks snap back to their original shape.

Question 24

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(B) Convergent boundary
Explanation: Convergent boundaries, where tectonic plates collide and one plate is forced under another, are most likely to produce the largest and most powerful earthquakes.

Question 25

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(A) The release of residual stress along the fault
Explanation: Aftershocks are smaller earthquakes that occur after a major earthquake, caused by the release of residual stress along the fault as the crust adjusts to the changes.

Question 26

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(B) By triangulating the position using multiple seismographs
Explanation: Seismologists use the time difference between the arrival of P-waves and S-waves at multiple seismograph stations to triangulate the position of the earthquake's epicentre.

Question 27

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(A) It has a larger amplitude of seismic waves
Explanation: A higher magnitude on the Richter scale indicates a larger amplitude of seismic waves, which generally correlates with more energy released and potentially more damage.

Question 28

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(B) Trenches
Explanation: Trenches are deep, elongated depressions in the ocean floor commonly created at convergent plate boundaries where one tectonic plate is subducted beneath another.

Question 29

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(A) P-waves
Explanation: P-waves, or primary waves, can travel through both the Earth's core and mantle, unlike S-waves which cannot travel through the liquid outer core.

Question 30

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(B) Identifying areas at risk of seismic activity
Explanation: A seismic hazard map is used to identify areas at risk of seismic activity, helping planners and engineers design buildings and infrastructure to withstand potential earthquakes.

Category: Seismology

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