Earthquakes

Choose the correct option

Question 1

A tremor below the surface of the earth which causes shaking of the crust:

1. Earthquake waves
2. Earthquake
3. Seismic waves
4. None of the above

Answer

Earthquake

Question 2

A series of shocks that result from sudden earth movement:

1. Earthquake
2. Volcanoes
3. Earthquake waves
4. Plate tectonics

Answer

Earthquake waves

Question 3

Which amongst the following is NOT a factor that causes an earthquake?

1. Folding and faulting
2. Volcanoes
3. Lava
4. Plate tectonics

Answer

Lava

Question 4

Which waves are recorded on a seismograph after the P waves?

1. Primary waves
2. Push waves
3. Shear waves
4. Surface waves

Answer

Shear waves

Question 5

Which of the following measures the power of an earthquake on a scale of 1 to 9?

1. Seismograph
2. Richter scale
3. Mercalli scale
4. Thermometer

Answer

Richter scale

Question 6

The point on the earth's surface directly above the seismic focus is called:

1. Epicentre
2. Seismic focus
3. Seismograph
4. Mercalli

Answer

Epicentre

Question 7

The instrument that grades the earthquakes on the basis of observed effects on a 12-point scale.

1. Thermometer
2. Seismograph
3. Richter scale
4. Mercalli scale

Answer

Mercalli scale

Question 8

Which, amongst the following, is NOT a destructive effect of earthquakes?

1. Submergence
2. Landslides
3. Energy release
4. Tsunami

Answer

Energy release

Question 9

A large destructive ocean wave that can be generated by any disturbance (earthquakes, volcanoes etc.) that rapidly displaces a large mass of water:

1. Submergence
2. Tsunami
3. Landform
4. Volcano

Answer

Tsunami

Question 10

Which of the following is not correct?

1. Circum-Pacific Mountain Belt : 70% of world earthquakes
2. Mid Atlantic Ridge: 10% of world earthquakes
3. Mid World Mountain Belt: 20% of world earthquakes
4. Pacific Ring of Fire: 15% of world earthquakes

Answer

Pacific Ring of Fire: 15% of world earthquakes

Short Answer Questions

Question 1

What is an earthquake? Give one recent example of an earthquake.

Answer

An earthquake is defined as a tremor below the surface of the earth which causes shaking of the crust. For example, an earthquake of 7.5 magnitude struck Sulawesi Province in Indonesia in 2018.

Question 2

State two natural causes of an earthquake.

Answer

Two natural causes of an earthquake are-

1. Volcanoes
2. Plate Tectonics

Question 3

Name two man-made causes of an earthquake. Give one example.

Answer

Two man-made causes of an earthquake are-

1. Construction of huge dams
2. Nuclear explosions

For example, Koyna earthquake in Maharashtra was caused by construction of Koyna dam in a seismically active region.

Question 4

What are known as seismic focus and epicentre with respect to an earthquake?

Answer

The point of origin of seismic waves is called seismic focus. The point on the earth's surface directly above the seismic focus is called epicentre.

Question 5

What is known as Richter scale? State its uses.

Answer

Richter scale is an instrument that is used to measure the absolute intensity of an earthquake with mathematical precision. It measures the power of an earthquake on a scale of 1 to 9.

Question 6

How are earthquakes useful?

Answer

Earthquakes are useful for the following reasons-

1. Energy release — They help the earth to release its stored up energy which helps to keep the earth in good shape.

2. Landforms — Earthquakes help in the formation of various landforms.

Question 7

Give any two destructive effects of earthquakes.

Answer

Two destructive effects of earthquakes are-

1. Collapse of structures — Due to earthquakes, houses and other structures often collapse causing great loss of life and property.

2. Submergence — The forces of uplift and subsidence cause submergence of coastal parts.

Question 8

What is a Tsunami? Give one recent example of a place struck by a Tsunami.

Answer

A Tsunami is a large destructive ocean wave that can be generated by any disturbance that rapidly displaces a large mass of water.

For example, a Tsunami struck Java and Sumatra in Indonesia on December 22, 2018.

Question 9

How do Japanese predict earthquakes?

Answer

Japanese use the methods of measuring changes in sea level and variations in Earth's magnetic field to predict earthquakes.

Question 10

Name the two belts where most of the earthquakes occur.

Answer

Two belts where most of the earthquakes occur are-

1. The Circum Pacific Mountain Belt
2. The Midworld Mountain Belt

Structured Questions

Question 1(a)

Describe how earthquakes are caused on the surface of the earth.

Answer

Earthquakes are caused by the strain in the earth's crust which in turn is a result of a number of factors. When the earth’s crust is unable to accommodate itself to the strain, it results in a sudden release of energy in the form of a sudden violent shock or an earthquake.

Earthquakes are caused by severe tectonic movement of plates, volcanic eruption forces, folding and faulting and man-made causes.

Question 1(b)

What is the difference between seismic focus and epicentre?

Answer

Question 1(c)

Give a geographical reason for each of the following:

(i) Most earthquakes occur on account of plate movements.

(ii) Primary waves are the first earthquake waves to be recorded on a seismogram.

(iii) Volcanic activity and earthquakes occur in the same belt.

Answer

(i) Most earthquakes occur on account of plate movements because when two plates slip past each other or collide against each other, their edges produce faults along the lines of weakness.

(ii) Primary waves are the first earthquake waves to be recorded on a seismogram because they travel at the greatest speed and can pass through solids, liquids and gases.

(iii) Volcanic activity and earthquakes occur in the same belt because earthquakes and volcanoes are formed along faults between tectonic plates, where the crust is weakest.

Question 1(d)

Explain the three types of earthquake waves.

Answer

The three types of earthquake waves are-

1. P or Primary wave — These are the first earthquake waves to be recorded on a seismogram of an earthquake. They are compressional,i.e., the particles vibrate in the direction of movement of the wave. They can pass through solids, liquids and gases.

2. S or Secondary wave — These waves are recorded on a seismogram after the P waves. They are distortional waves in which the particles vibrate at right angles to the direction of movement of the wave. S waves travel through the earth's interior but cannot be transmitted by liquids.

3. L or Surface waves — These waves travel along the surface of the earth and are recorded after the P and S waves. Two types of L waves are identified- Love waves and Rayleigh waves.

Question 2(a)

The destructive effects of an earthquake are far more than its constructive effects. Give reasons to support your answer.

Answer

Constructive effects of earthquakes are-

1. Release of stored up energy of the earth
2. Vertical and lateral displacement of the earth
3. Formation of lakes

Destructive forces of earthquakes are-

1. Collapse of structures causing great loss of life and property
2. Submergence of coastal areas
3. Changed course of rivers, rendering many areas unsuitable for irrigation and agriculture
4. Resulting landslides disrupt the transport system
5. Accidental fires cause damage to life and property

In geographical terminology, earthquakes are a part of endogenic forces and are regarded as constructive movements of the earth's crust but from human point of view, earthquakes are regarded as destructive causing loss of life and property.

Question 2(b)

How is the intensity of an earthquake measured?

Answer

The intensity of an earthquake is measured by using instruments like Richter scale and Mercalli scale.

Question 2(c)

Is it possible to predict an earthquake? Give reasons to support your answer.

Answer

No, it is not possible to predict an earthquake.

The Russians were the first ones to discover the P and S waves on the basis of which predictions were made. The theory of Plate Tectonics offers another means of prediction on scientific lines. Japanese use the methods of measuring the changes in sea level and variations in Earth's magnetic field to predict earthquakes.

However, no method is foolproof as has been proved by recent earthquakes in Japan, India and USA.

Question 2(d)

How are earthquakes distributed over the globe?

Answer

The main earthquake belts in the world are-

1. The Circum Pacific Mountain Belt — This belt has 70% of all earthquakes. A part of San Andreas Fault in the USA lies in this belt. The area of Japan, the Philippines and Indonesia all form parts of this belt.

2. The Midworld Mountain Belt — It stretches from Eastern Europe covering Alpine-Himalayan ranges in Europe ans Asia. About 20% of all earthquakes occur in this zone.

3. The Mid-Atlantic Ridge — This belt comprises areas along the mid-oceanic ridges as well as many island near the ridges of the Atlantic Ocean and the remaining 10% of earthquakes occur in this belt. The Rift Valley of East Africa is considered an extension of the belt.

Thinking Skills

Question 1

'Prevention is better than cure.' How does this statement apply to earthquakes? Give reasons to support your answer.

Answer

The statement "Prevention is better than cure" applies very well to earthquakes. Once an earthquake occurs, the damage has already been done. Therefore, the best approach is to prevent the earthquake from happening or mitigate its effects.

We cannot prevent earthquakes caused by natural causes but we can certainly check the man made causes of earthquakes. Human activity like construction of huge dams, nuclear explosions, blasting of rocks, mining, etc., near fault zones are responsible for earthquakes.

1. Koyna earthquake in Maharashtra was caused by construction of the Koyna dam in a seismically active region.
2. Chemical wastes dumped into the ground and underground explosions in the USA caused several earthquakes in Colorado in the 1960s.

Apart from disregarding nature, retrofitting buildings to withstand earthquakes or constructing new buildings with earthquake-resistant materials can be expensive, but it is often cheaper than repairing or rebuilding after an earthquake. Educating people on earthquake safety or implementing early warning systems can help to protect people from harm.

Question 2

Imagine you were sitting in the balcony of a seaside resort, when you suddenly noticed waves rising high in the sky. Suddenly there was a surge in the height of the waves and they turned into a tsunami. What could have caused this tsunami and what were its consequences.

Answer

A tsunami can be caused by:

1. Underwater earthquakes — When an earthquake occurs on the ocean floor, it can create powerful waves that can travel long distances and cause a tsunami.
2. Underwater landslides — A large landslide on the ocean floor can also displace a significant amount of water and create a tsunami.
3. Volcanic eruptions — A volcanic eruption that occurs underwater can also cause a tsunami.

The consequences of a tsunami can be severe:

1. Flooding — A tsunami can cause extensive flooding in low-lying areas, leading to significant damage to infrastructure and loss of life.
2. Destruction of buildings and homes — The force of the tsunami waves can cause significant damage to buildings and homes, leaving people homeless and without access to essential services.
3. Loss of life and property— Tsunamis can be deadly, causing the loss of life. It also affects industries such as tourism, fishing, and agriculture.