Exam 10: Earthquakes and Earth's Interior

Just before a major earthquake, locked portions of major faults exhibit a period of fault creep.

During the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, fire destroyed many buildings that were otherwise undamaged or only slightly damaged by the ground shaking.

Is the average earthquake intensity along the oceanic ridge system stronger or weaker than along the circum-Pacific belt? Is it because the crust is thinner and warmer or more brittle?

Examine the words and/or phrases for each question below and determine the relationship among the majority of words/phrases. -Choose the option that does not fit the pattern.

Solid, simple, traditional stone or brick and mortar buildings generally withstand earthquake shaking because they are so massive and strong.

On a typical seismogram, ________ will show the highest amplitudes.

________ first recognized the seismic discontinuity between the inner and outer cores.

Why was building damage so extensive in the 1985 Mexico City quake?

Approximately how much more energy is released in a 6.5 Richter magnitude earthquake than in one with magnitude 5.5?

What acoustic phenomenon causes the shadow zone for P-wave arrivals at epicentral angles between 100° and 140°?

How was the Turnagain Heights area of Anchorage, Alaska, damaged during the 1964 earthquake?

Which one of the following statements concerning P waves is true?

The ________ of the Earth does not transmit S waves.

The Milankovitch discontinuity separates Earth's mantle and outer core.

What amplitude would a ML6.0 earthquake with a 50 sec S-P arrival difference show on a seismogram?

Which one of the following statements is correct?

As determined by dated sedimentary evidence in west coast marshes, there have been at least 13 great "Megathrust" earthquakes on the Cascadia Subduction Zone during the past 6000 years.

What is the belt where seismic waves are blocked by the outer core in the diagram below?

What characterizes P-wave arrivals on the far side of the Earth at epicentral angles beyond 140°?

What is the main reason that ray paths of seismic waves are curved like dipping arcs, rather than proceeding along the straightest, shortest path as they pass through the whole earth?