18.

Earthquakes

A. Fill in the blanks.

1. Foreshocks are the smaller earthquakes that happen in the same place before the main quake follows.
2. The ‘high wall sea waves’, caused by underwater earthquakes are called Tsunami.
3. Earthquake is caused by a disturbance deep inside the crust.
4. The waves associated with the tremors caused by earthquakes are known as seismic waves.
5. Geologists call the point of origin of earthquakes, as its focus.
6. Destructive energy of an earthquake is measured on the Richter scale.

B. Tick () the correct option:

1. The minor quake, that might occur before the main earthquake is known as a—

Ans. Fore shock

2. A natural phenomenon, whose triggering is not associated with an earthquake is—

Ans. Flood

3. Earthquakes occur when there is a sudden release of stored up energy in earth’s— Inner core Outer core Mantle
Crust

Ans. Crust

4. The various layers are marked as A, B, C and D as shown in the given figure— A B C D The correct labeling, of these
layers A, B, C and D of earth, is

Ans. A-crust, B-mantle, C-outer core, D-inner core

5.The epicenter of an earthquake is— Deep under the crust of the earth In the mantle of the earth On the surface of the
earth In the core of the earth

Ans. Deep under the crust of the earth

6. The magnitude of two earthquakes A and B, on the Richter Scale were 7 and 5 respectively. The strength of—

Ans. Earthquake A is 100 times that of earthquake B

C. State True or False for the following statements.

1. It is now possible to give exact predictions about the earthquakes. False

2. Earthquakes beneath the ocean floor can generate huge tidal waves. True
3. When the plates on the earth slide past each other, the energy released gives rise to waves known as seismic waves.
True
4. Richter Scale is a simple linear scale. False
5. An earthquake, of magnitude 2.5 on Richter Scale, cannot be recorded on a seismometer. True
6. In highly seismic areas, it is better to have house made from mud or timber than those made by using heavy
construction materials. True

D. Answer the following questions in brief.

What is an earthquake?

Ans. Sudden shaking of the earth’s surface is called earthquake.

State any three of the ‘damaging effects’ of an earthquake.

Ans. The three damaging effects of an earthquake are: • Loss of lives • Destruction of houses • Tsunami

Explain the phenomenon of production of shock waves.

Ans. The tectonic plates are locked up at their boundaries. But the plates try to keep on moving. This causes a tension to
build up in the plates. When the force of moving plates overcomes this friction at the edges, all of their stored energy
gets released. This causes vibrations in the plate. The vibrations create the shock waves.

In the context of an earthquake, which of the two points: the focus or the epicenter, is deep under the ground?

Ans. Focus

Name the scale used for measuring the strength of an earthquake. Write the likely magnitude of (a) a mild earthquake
(b) a highly destructive earthquake on this scale.

Ans. Earthquake is measured on Richter Scale. A mild earthquake measures about 3.5 on Richter scale, while a highly
destructive earthquake measures more than 8 on Richter scale.

An earthquake measures 3 on Richter Scale. (a) Would it be recorded on the seismometer. (b) Is it likely to cause much
damage?

Ans. (a) Yes (b) No

E. Answer the following questions.

1. Explain in brief, the cause of an earthquake.

Ans. Earthquake is caused by the movement of tectonic plates. The friction between two plates releases energy which
causes earthquake.

2. Where are the earthquakes more likely to occur?

Ans. At the boundaries of tectonic plates.

3. Mr. Sarthak is the head of a construction company. He got a contract to design and build a housing complex in an
area which was under the ‘seismic zone’. State the main precautions which Mr. Sarthak’s company should take so that
houses built by it are durable.

Ans. Mr. Sarthak should take following precautions: • The structure should be ‘Quake Safe’. • Fire fighting equipments
should be properly installed in the building. • Safer places and exit routes must be clearly marked. • Disaster
management supplies should be available ‘one hand’.
4. State the precautions, that one should take for protection during an earthquake if one is (a) inside the house (b)
Outdoors.

Ans. Safety precautions inside the house: • Take shelter under a table and stay their till the shaking stops. • Stay away
from tall and heavy objects. • Do not get up if you are in bed. Protect your head with pillows. • Stay indoors until
shaking stops and it is safe to move outside. Safety precautions outdoors: • Go to a clear spot away from buildings,
trees, bridges and overhead powerline. Drop to the ground. • Do not come out if you are in a moving vehicle. Drive
slowly to a clear spot and stay inside. Come out only when the tremors stop.

5. State the main precautions that can be taken to minimize the effect of an earthquake.

Ans. Following precautions can be taken to minimize the effect of an earthquake: • Buildings should be made ‘Quake
Safe’. • Stay away from damaged areas. • Look for warning of tsunami if you are living in coastal area. • Stay calm for a
while. Be ready for aftershocks. • Help the injured ones.

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