Chapter 8

Earthquakes
Class 9 - Total Geography Morning Star
Fill in the blanks

Question 1

Most earthquakes occur on account of tectonic plate movements.

Question 2

P (Primary) waves are the first earthquake waves to be recorded on a seismograph of an

earthquake.

Question 3

The last of the earthquake waves to arrive on the surface of the earth are surface waves.

Question 4

The giant sea waves caused by earthquakes in the oceans are called Tsunamis.

Question 5

About 70 per cent of the earthquakes occur in the Circum Pacific Mountain Belt.

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

Match the following:

Question 1
 Column A Column B

Tsunami The waves that make the inhabitants feel the ground motion

Seismograph The instrument for measuring the intensity of an earthquake.

S-waves Harbour waves generated by oceanic earthquakes

Richter scale The point on the earth surface directly above the seismic focus.

Epicentre An instrument for recording the movement of earthquake waves.

Answer

Column A Column B

Tsunami Harbour waves generated by oceanic earthquakes

Seismograph An instrument for recording the movement of earthquake waves.

S-waves The waves that make the inhabitants feel the ground motion

Richter scale The instrument for measuring the intensity of an earthquake.

Epicentre The point on the earth surface directly above the seismic focus.

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

Seismic focus Epicentre

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

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.