Natural Disasters and How They Happen

Name:

Date:

Instructions: Explore the fascinating science behind earthquakes, hurricanes, tsunamis, and other powerful forces of nature.

1.
What causes an earthquake?
A
The shifting and grinding of tectonic plates beneath the Earth's surface
B
Large underground explosions of natural gas
C
The moon's gravitational pull on the ocean floor
D
Volcanic ash settling deep into the ground
2.
A hurricane, a typhoon, and a cyclone are all the same type of storm. What makes them different?
A
Their size — hurricanes are the largest, cyclones the smallest
B
The ocean where they form — the name changes depending on the region
C
Their wind speed — typhoons are faster than hurricanes
D
Their season — cyclones form only in winter
3.
What is a tsunami?
A
A very strong tropical hurricane near the coast
B
A series of giant ocean waves usually caused by an underwater earthquake
C
A sudden drop in sea level caused by the moon
D
A type of coastal flooding from heavy rainfall
4.
The Richter scale is used to measure which natural disaster?
A
Tornadoes
B
Volcanic eruptions
C
Earthquakes
D
Hurricanes
5.
What is the name of the scale used to measure the intensity of tornadoes?
A
The Beaufort Scale
B
The Saffir-Simpson Scale
C
The Enhanced Fujita Scale
D
The Mercalli Scale
6.
Which U.S. city was devastated by a massive earthquake in 1906?
A
Los Angeles
B
Seattle
C
San Francisco
D
Portland
7.
What is the "Ring of Fire"?
A
A band of desert regions around the equator known for wildfires
B
A zone around the Pacific Ocean where most of the world's earthquakes and volcanoes occur
C
The area around the Earth's core where temperatures are highest
D
A series of active volcanoes located in the Atlantic Ocean
8.
Hurricane Katrina, one of the costliest natural disasters in U.S. history, struck which major city in 2005?
A
Miami, Florida
B
Houston, Texas
C
New Orleans, Louisiana
D
Mobile, Alabama
9.
What does it mean when scientists say a volcano is "dormant"?
A
The volcano has cooled completely and can never erupt again
B
The volcano is currently erupting but slowly
C
The volcano has not erupted in a long time but could erupt again in the future
D
The volcano is located underwater
10.
The deadly 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami was triggered by an earthquake off the coast of which country?
A
India
B
Indonesia
C
Thailand
D
Sri Lanka
11.
What weather condition is needed for a tornado to form?
A
A cold front colliding with dry desert air
B
Warm, moist air meeting cool, dry air, creating a severe thunderstorm
C
A tropical storm moving inland from the ocean
D
Freezing temperatures combined with strong ocean winds
12.
Which U.S. region is most famous for frequent tornado activity and is nicknamed "Tornado Alley"?
A
The Pacific Northwest
B
The Gulf Coast
C
The Great Plains states in the central U.S.
D
New England
13.
Mount St. Helens in Washington State famously erupted in which year?
A
1965
B
1972
C
1980
D
1991
14.
What is a "pyroclastic flow" from a volcano?
A
A slow-moving river of hardened lava
B
A fast-moving current of hot gas, ash, and rock fragments that races down a volcano's slope
C
The underground channel through which magma travels to the surface
D
A cloud of steam released when lava hits the ocean
15.
What is the difference between a "watch" and a "warning" when weather forecasters issue hurricane alerts?
A
A watch means the storm has already arrived; a warning means it is still far out at sea
B
A watch means hurricane conditions are possible within 48 hours; a warning means they are expected within 36 hours
C
A watch applies to coastal areas; a warning applies only to inland areas
D
A watch is issued for Category 1–2 storms; a warning is for Category 3 and above

Find more free puzzles and brain games at www.SeniorBrainGames.org