This set of Earthquake Engineering Multiple Choice Questions & Answers (MCQs) focuses on “Reid’s Elastic Rebound Theory”.
1. The theory which explains the occurrence of Earthquake is called as ____________
a) Plastic rebound theory
b) Elastic rebound theory
c) Distortion theory
d) Rupture theory
View Answer
Explanation: H.F. Reid, a geologist from Hopkins University proposed that the earthquake occur as a result of previously stored elastic stress. This stress and the resulting strain is released if the tectonic plate does not have enough strain capacity. The stress is released in form of seismic waves, heat and tsunamis. This theory is called as the ‘Elastic rebound theory’.
2. The elastic rebound theory was proposed in which year?
a) 1906
b) 1909
c) 1914
d) 1916
View Answer
Explanation: The elastic rebound theory was proposed in the year 1906 and later published by a geologist named H.F. Reid in the year 1911.
3. Which of the following earthquakes helped researchers to discover the actual cause of earthquakes?
a) 1995, Kobe’s earthquake
b) 1940, El Centro earthquake
c) 1906, San Francisco, California earthquake
d) 1960, Valdivia earthquake
View Answer
Explanation: After the 1906 earthquake in San Francisco a fault was discovered that could be followed along the ground in a more or less straight line for 270 miles. The discovery of this fault led the researchers to study the cause of earthquakes.
4. Which of these earthquake faults was studied by Reid in the year 1906?
a) San-Andreas fault
b) Alpine fault
c) Hope fault
d) Kunlun fault
View Answer
Explanation: H.F. Reid studied the displacement of the ground surface along the San Andreas Fault in the 50 years before the earthquake. He also found the evidence for 3.2m bending that had occurred during that period.
5. What is the intersection of a geological fault with the ground surface known as?
a) Fault trace
b) Epicenter
c) Seismic fault
d) Hypocenter
View Answer
Explanation: The intersection of geological fault with the ground surface is called fault trace. Epicenter is the point of maximum damage and is located just above the hypocenter on the surface of the earth. A hypocenter is located under the earth surface wherein the fault is created and the energy is dissipated.
6. What does the Reid’s elastic rebound theory explain about an earthquake?
a) Spread of energy after formation of fault
b) Occurence of Tsunamis
c) Shaking of ground during earthquake
d) Volcanic eruptions
View Answer
Explanation: Reid’s elastic rebound theory explains how energy stored in the tectonic plates is re-distributed when its stress resisting capacity exceeds a certain value.
7. The elastic rebound theory was in tune with which of the following theories of earthquake?
a) Kant’s theory
b) Newton’s theory
c) Plate tectonics theory
d) Anaximene’s theory
View Answer
Explanation: Kant and Newton proposed that earthquakes occur as a result of presence of flammable materials below the earth surface whereas Anaximene stated that earthquakes occur as a result of extreme drying or wetting of the surface of the earth.
8. The physicists who study seismic waves are called as _________________
a) Seismologist
b) Seismograph
c) Geologist
d) Geophysicists
View Answer
Explanation: A seismologist is the one who studies earthquakes, a seismograph is an instrument used to record earthquakes. Geo-physicists and geologist are more general terms and refer to people who study the rocks and soils.
9. Which of the following researchers is a recognized seismologist?
a) Charles F. Richter
b) Stephen Timoshenko
c) Euler Bernoulli
d) Steve Hopkins
View Answer
Explanation: Charles F. Richter is a renowned seismologist. He developed the Richter scale to measure earthquakes in the year 1916.
10. Which researcher extended the elastic rebound theory to explain the theory of plate tectonics?
a) Alfred Wegner
b) Marsh Muller
c) Alfred Noble
d) Harold Jeffrey
View Answer
Explanation: Alfred Wegner did pioneer work towards the development of the theory of plate tectonics in the year 1915.He suggested that all continents were in the form of one huge land-mass which gradually got separated leading to the development of tectonics plates.
Sanfoundry Global Education & Learning Series – Earthquake Engineering.
To practice all areas of Earthquake Engineering, here is complete set of Multiple Choice Questions and Answers.
If you find a mistake in question / option / answer, kindly take a screenshot and email to [email protected]
