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

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 The point on the earth's surface directly
waves is called seismic focus. above the seismic focus is 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. Formation of landforms
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 seismic 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 the 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 and 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 islands 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 as an extension of the belt.