Look out! This quiz is meant to shake you up… unless of course you can rise like a tsunami and score a 5/5.
#1. True or false? Scientists have linked climate change to more frequent earthquakes.
True! Climate change is increasing rainfall and glacial melt, both of which change the weight sitting on top of the Earth’s crust. More weight stabilises the crust but when it disappears, the land rebounds and more earthquakes occur.
#2. A tsunami is a giant ocean wave often caused by underwater earthquakes. Which country coined the word tsunami?
Tsunami comes from two Japanese words: “tsu” meaning port or harbour and “nami” meaning wave. Japan sits in a very geologically active place, meaning they are more likely than most other countries to experience earthquakes and tsunamis.
#3. Which of the following natural disasters does NOT happen on Mars?
NASA’s InSight lander detected several “Marsquakes” and recorded meteorite impacts, too. Once every 5 years or so, Mars has dust storms that cover the entire planet! Meanwhile, tropical cyclones need to form over an ocean, which Mars currently doesn’t have.
#4. Tropical cyclones are storms of swirling wind that form over the ocean. About how many tropical cyclones form near Australia each year?
The average for Aussie cyclones per year is 11! Most of these occur between November and April and, on average, about 4 out of these 11 come onto land. Worldwide, there is an average of about 80-100 tropical cyclones each year.
#5. What instrument do scientists use to detect earthquakes?
A seismograph is a scientific instrument that detects the seismic waves created by an earthquake. Seismic waves make the ground wiggle and a seismograph records these movements. The first seismographs were invented in the 1800’s.
Results
Congratulations! You are a real science whiz!
Oh dear! Better brush up before the next quiz!
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