1. Earthquakes are sudden movements of the earth caused by the abrupt release of accumulated strain along a fault in the interior. Which is the fault that caused the 1964 Alaskan earthquake of magnitude 9.2: the Denali fault, the New Madrid fault, the San Andreas fault, or the North Anatolian fault?
The Denali fault.
2. How do the hypocenter and the epicenter of an earthquake differ?
The hypocenter of an earthquake is the location beneath the surface of the earth where the fault rupture begins. In contrast, the epicenter is the location directly above the hypocenter on the earth's surface.
3. True or false: Earthquakes (or more properly "Moonquakes") can occur on the Moon?
True: "Moonquakes" can happen, but they are less frequent, occurring at greater depths and with smaller magnitudes than quakes on the Earth. Most likely, they are related to tidal stresses associated with the varying distance between the Earth and Moon.
4. What is "paleoseismology"?
Paleoseismology is the study of geological evidence for past (ancient) earthquakes.
5. The rock band, Steely Dan, posits a fantasy earthquake scenario concerning the San Andreas fault when they sing: "California tumbles into the sea". Name the tune that contains this lyric?
"My Old School", from the 1973 Steely Dan album Countdown To Ecstasy. However, despite the implications of the song, California is not likely to fall into the sea. Because the San Andreas fault is a transform, or strike-slip, fault, the two sides (plates) of the fault will slide past each other, instead of disappearing under the Pacific Ocean.
6. Where is the New Madrid fault located: Spain, Mexico, the United States, or Morocco?
The New Madrid fault is found in the United States within the central Mississippi Valley. It was the site of a number of tremendous earthquakes in 1811-12. The fault derives its name from the town of New Madrid, Missouri, which was close to the epicenters of these quakes.
7. Name the satirical story in which Voltaire, the great writer/philosopher, describes the devastating Lisbon earthquake of 1755.
Candide, written by Voltaire in 1759.
8. What is the term used for a minor tremor of the earth that precedes a larger earthquake and that originates at approximately the same location: preshock, foreshock, shock jock, or anteshock?
Foreshock.
9. Which continent has the fewest number of earthquakes?
Antarctica.
10. In Greek mythology, who is the god of earthquakes?
Poseidon (who is also the god of the sea and of horses).
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