Geo-Tectonics - Geography Multiple Choice Questions with Answers

Answer: Option [A]

The correct answer is P. P-waves are the first waves to arrive on a complete record of ground shaking because they travel the fastest (their name derives from this fact - P is an abbreviation for primary, first wave to arrive). They typically travel at speeds between ~1 and ~14 km/sec.

Answer: Option [C]

Earthquakes occur when there is a sudden release of stored up energy in Earth's upper mantle. This release of energy causes intense ground shaking and sends waves of elastic energy, called seismic waves, throughout the Earth.

Answer: Option [D]

The correct answer is Both (A) and (B). Body waves are of two types: Primary waves (also called P-waves, or pressure waves) and Secondary waves (S-waves, or shear waves). P-waves are compression waves. They can propagate in solid or liquid material. S-waves are shear waves.

Answer: Option [C]

P waves are compressional body waves. P waves are also known as compressional waves, because they push and pull. Particles subjected to a P wave move in the same direction that the wave is moves in; it is the direction that the energy is traveling in, sometimes called the “direction of wave propagation.”

Answer: Option [B]

Earthquakes usually occur at boundary of crustal plates. Earthquakes occur along fault lines, cracks in Earth's crust where tectonic plates meet. They occur where plates are subducting, spreading, slipping, or colliding.