Engineering Geology Questions and Answers – Classification of Earthquakes

This set of Engineering Geology Multiple Choice Questions & Answers (MCQs) focuses on “Classification of Earthquakes”.

1. What is the depth of focus in the shallow earthquakes?
a) Up to 100 km
b) Up to 200 km
c) Up to 60 km
d) Up to 150 km
View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: In the shallow earthquakes, depth of focus lies anywhere up to 60 km below the surface. A great majority of the earthquakes in the past had been of this type.

2. How many types on the basis of depth of focus are present?
a) 1
b) 3
c) 2
d) 4
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: Three classes of earthquakes are recognized on the basis of depth of focus: shallow, intermediate and deep seated.

3. 60 – 300 km focus distance is seen in which type of earthquake?
a) Shallow earthquake
b) Intermediate earthquake
c) Deep seated earthquake
d) Tertiary earthquake
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: The intermediate earthquakes originate between 60 and 300 km below the surface. These are rare in occurrence but their effects are felt over large areas.

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4. The type of earthquake very rare in occurrence is __________
a) Shallow earthquake
b) Intermediate earthquake
c) Deep seated earthquake
d) Tertiary earthquake
View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: The deep seated earthquakes originate between 300 and 700 km, and are very rare phenomena.

5. Which class of earthquakes are most destructive?
a) Class A
b) Class B
c) Class D
d) Class E
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: Earthquakes of class A are highly destructive whereas those of class E are not of any significance in relation to engineering structures.
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6. How many types of earthquakes are classified based on the cause of origin?
a) 1
b) 3
c) 4
d) 2
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: Two broad classes of earthquakes distinguished on the basis of the cause of origin. They are- tectonic earthquakes and non-tectonic earthquakes.

7. Which earthquake is caused due to faulting or relative displacements of blocks of the crust of the earth along rupture planes?
a) Tectonic earthquakes
b) Shallow earthquakes
c) Class-A earthquakes
d) Non-tectonic earthquakes
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: Tectonic earthquakes are caused due to faulting or relative displacements of blocks of the crust of the earth along rupture planes. Most commonly, the major earthquakes are of tectonic origin.
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8. Earthquakes originating due to volcanic eruptions or landslides are called __________
a) Tectonic earthquakes
b) Shallow earthquakes
c) Class-A earthquakes
d) Non-tectonic earthquakes
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: Non-tectonic earthquakes owe their origin to causes distinctly different from faulting such as volcanic eruptions, atomic explosions or due to landslides and subsidence.

9. The number of classes of earthquakes based on magnitude of Ritcher scale are __________
a) 2
b) 5
c) 4
d) 6
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: It is customary to mention earthquakes by its magnitude on the Ritcher scale. Sometimes earthquakes are grouped into five classes on the basis of magnitude.
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10. The shallow earthquakes occur very rare.
a) True
b) False
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: The shallow earthquakes are the most commonly observed earthquakes till now whereas the deep seated earthquakes are very rare phenomena.

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If you find a mistake in question / option / answer, kindly take a screenshot and email to [email protected]

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Manish Bhojasia - Founder & CTO at Sanfoundry
Manish Bhojasia, a technology veteran with 20+ years @ Cisco & Wipro, is Founder and CTO at Sanfoundry. He lives in Bangalore, and focuses on development of Linux Kernel, SAN Technologies, Advanced C, Data Structures & Alogrithms. Stay connected with him at LinkedIn.

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