This set of Earthquake Engineering Multiple Choice Questions & Answers (MCQs) focuses on “Engineering Seismology”.
1. Which of these theories explain the occurrence of earthquakes at specific locations?
a) Intra-plate theory
b) Plate tectonics theory
c) Elastic rebound theory
d) Delamination theory
View Answer
Explanation: According to the plate tectonic theory the continents have formed by splitting of one single land mass into multiple land masses. The line along which these land mass has split are the locations wherein the probability of occurrence of an earthquake is maximum.
2. Who proposed the theory of plate tectonics?
a) Wegener
b) Jeffrey
c) Hess
d) Reid
View Answer
Explanation: Wegener proposed the theory of plate tectonics in the year 1915. Jefferey rejected Wegener’s theory citing insufficient evidence. Hess did research in the field of oceanography which help to prove Wegener’s theory correct. Reid proposed the elastic rebound theory of earthquakes.
3. Wegener published his theory of plate tectonics in which of these books?
a) On the origin of continents and oceans
b) Pangaea
c) A revolution in earthquake sciences
d) The theory of continental drift
View Answer
Explanation: Alfred Wegener wrote about the theory of plate tectonics in the book named ‘On the origin of continents and oceans in the year 1915. However, his theory was not accepted after 50 years after various researchers found scientific evidences which were in line with Wegener’s theory.
4. According to Wegener, all continents were a part of a huge land mass called as ________________
a) Pagans
b) Pangaea
c) Panchratan
d) Prague
View Answer
Explanation: Wegener proposed that the whole earth was in form of a super-continent called Pangaea. It later split steadily to form smaller clusters of land which we call as continent.
5. Which of these layers lie underneath the lithosphere and is responsible for the movement of tectonic plates?
a) Asthenosphere
b) Hydrosphere
c) Mesosphere
d) Thermosphere
View Answer
Explanation: Asthenosphere lies just beneath the lithosphere and highly viscous at some places and rigid but mechanically weak at other. The steady motion of tectonic plates may be attributed to the presence of this layer. Mesosphere, thermosphere and hydrosphere lie above the lithosphere.
6. The plate margin along which new crust is generated because of the movement of plates from each other is called as _________________
a) Divergent boundaries
b) Convergent boundaries
c) Transform boundaries
d) Conservative plate margin
View Answer
Explanation: Divergent boundaries are the ones wherein new crust is created due to the movement of plates away from each other. Convergent boundaries are the ones along which a crust is destroyed as one plate drives under another whereas transform boundaries and conservative plate margin occur when a crust is neither produced nor destroyed as the plates slide horizontally.
7. What is the total number of major tectonic plates on earth?
a) 7
b) 12
c) 10
d) 3
View Answer
Explanation: There are 12 major plates Antarctica, Africa, Eurasia, India, Australia, Arabia, Philippines, North America, South America, Pacific, Nazea and Cocos. There are several minor plates like Scotia, Caribbean, Juan de Fuca.
8. The location wherein one plate sinks under another is called as _____________
a) Rift zone
b) Subduction zone
c) Transform zone
d) Fracture zones
View Answer
Explanation: The location along the convergent boundaries where sinking of a plate occurs is called subduction zone. The ten largest earthquakes since 1900 on the globe have occurred along these zones.
8. Divergence boundaries in continental region are called as _____________
a) Rift zone
b) Divergence zone
c) Transform zone
d) Fracture zones
View Answer
Explanation: Divergence boundaries in continental regions are called as rift zones. They are mostly responsible for fissure type of volcanic eruptions. The magnitude of earthquake occurring in this zone is less, however they give rise to subduction zones in the adjacent plates giving rise to greater magnitude of earthquake in the adjacent plates.
9. Mariana trench is formed as a result of which of these phenomena?
a) Oceanic-Oceanic convergence
b) Continental-Continental convergence
c) Oceanic-Continental convergence
d) Continental-Continental divergence
View Answer
Explanation: When two oceanic plates converge one plate sink below another. This results in the formation of a trench. The Mariana trench is formed as a result of such oceanic-oceanic convergence of the Pacific plate against the slow-moving Philippine plate.
10. Himalaya Mountain ranges have been formed as a result of which of these phenomena?
a) Oceanic-Oceanic divergence
b) Continental-Continental convergence
c) Oceanic-Continental convergence
d) Oceanic-Continental divergence
View Answer
Explanation: When two continental plates meet head on and none of them sinks a continental-continental convergence takes place. The crust tends to buckle upwards or push side-ways leading to the formation of hilly terrains. Himalaya mountain ranges is one such example.
Sanfoundry Global Education & Learning Series – Earthquake Engineering.
To practice all areas of Earthquake Engineering, here is complete set of Multiple Choice Questions and Answers.
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