Earthquakes and volcanoes: Practice Questions

Which layer of the Earth is the outermost solid shell that forms the tectonic plates?

The provided diagram illustrates a plate boundary where an oceanic plate is being forced beneath a continental plate. This process is associated with deep-ocean trenches and explosive volcanic eruptions.

Which type of plate boundary is shown?

Which of the following is considered a secondary hazard caused by an undersea earthquake?

Which design feature is specifically used to help a building withstand the shaking forces of an earthquake?

Which strategy is most effective for reducing the loss of life before a volcanic eruption occurs?

Describe one way that international aid can assist a region in the immediate aftermath of a major earthquake.

Explain why volcanoes are generally absent at conservative plate boundaries.

Name the specific type of plate boundary where two tectonic plates are moving away from each other.

The diagram represents a cross-section of the Earth's internal structure.

(a) Identify the three layers of the Earth shown in the diagram:
Layer 1 (the outermost solid shell):
Layer 2 (the thickest layer between the shell and the core):
Layer 3 (the center of the Earth):

(b) Which of these layers is broken into the tectonic plates that move and cause earthquakes?

The impact of a tectonic event is influenced by both the physical magnitude of the event and the level of preparation in the affected area.

(a) Explain the difference between the focus and the epicenter of an earthquake.
(b) Suggest three reasons why a Less Economically Developed Country (LEDC) might suffer a higher number of casualties from an earthquake compared to a More Economically Developed Country (MEDC) experiencing an event of the same magnitude on the Richter scale.