Geography 2152: Final Exam Questions and Answers |Fall
2026/2027 Update | 100% Correct Latest (Graded A+)
Question 1
Earthquakes
Correct Answer
They result from the rupture of rocks along a fault. Energy from an earthquake is released in the form of seismic waves.
They are mapped according to the epicentre; the focus is located directly below the epicentre. They are measured by
seismographs and compared by magnitude
Question 2
Earthquake magnitude
Correct Answer
The magnitude of an earthquake is expressed as a number to one decimal place. This type of measurement was first
developed by Richter in 1935. The Richter Scale was a measure of the strength of a wave at a distance of 100 km from
the epicentre. Since then, more accurate methods have been developed and the Richter scale is no longer in use
Page 1 of 76
,Question 3
The moment magnitude scale
Correct Answer
The scale is determined by:
1. The area ruptured along a fault
2. The amount of movement along the fault
3. The elasticity of the crust at the focus (strength)
Similar to the Richter Scale, it is a logarithmic scale. Example: An M7 earthquake represents 10 times the amount of
ground motion as M6 earthquake
Question 4
Magnitude and frequency of earthquakes
Correct Answer
Except for very large earthquakes, the magnitude on the Moment Magnitude Scale is similar to the Richter Scale. The
strongest earthquake to ever occur is M9.5 in Chile in 1960. In Canada, it is M8.1 in B.C. in 1949. There are only a few
M9+ earthquakes each century.
Question 5
Modified Mercalli intensity scale
Correct Answer
A qualitative earthquake measurement scale based on damage to structures and the affect on people. It is based on 12
categories.
Page 2 of 76
,Question 6
Earthquake processes
Correct Answer
Earthquakes are most common at or near plate boundaries. Motion at plate boundaries is not usually smooth or
constant. Friction along plate boundaries exerts a force (stress) on the rocks, exerting strain or deformation. When the
stress exceeds the strength of the rocks, there is a sudden movement along a fault. The movement (or rupture) starts at
the focus and propagates in all directions, called seismic waves. Thus, faults are considered seismic sources. Identifying
faults is necessary to evaluate the risk of an earthquake in a given area. Not all faults reach the Earth's surface. Blind faults
are located below the surface
Question 7
Two types of faults
Correct Answer
1. Strike-slip faults
2. Dip-slip faults
Question 8
Strike-slip faults
Correct Answer
Displacements are horizontal (ex; San Andreas)
Page 3 of 76
, Question 9
Dip-slip faults
Correct Answer
Displacements are vertical. They are comprised of two walls on an incline defined by miners:
1. Footwall (where miners place their feet)
2. Hanging-wall (where miners placed their lanterns)
Question 10
Three types of dip-slip faults
Correct Answer
1. Reverse fault
2. Thrust fault
3. Normal fault
Question 11
Reverse fault
Correct Answer
The hanging-wall has moved up relative to the footwall inclined at an angle steeper than 45 degrees
Page 4 of 76
2026/2027 Update | 100% Correct Latest (Graded A+)
Question 1
Earthquakes
Correct Answer
They result from the rupture of rocks along a fault. Energy from an earthquake is released in the form of seismic waves.
They are mapped according to the epicentre; the focus is located directly below the epicentre. They are measured by
seismographs and compared by magnitude
Question 2
Earthquake magnitude
Correct Answer
The magnitude of an earthquake is expressed as a number to one decimal place. This type of measurement was first
developed by Richter in 1935. The Richter Scale was a measure of the strength of a wave at a distance of 100 km from
the epicentre. Since then, more accurate methods have been developed and the Richter scale is no longer in use
Page 1 of 76
,Question 3
The moment magnitude scale
Correct Answer
The scale is determined by:
1. The area ruptured along a fault
2. The amount of movement along the fault
3. The elasticity of the crust at the focus (strength)
Similar to the Richter Scale, it is a logarithmic scale. Example: An M7 earthquake represents 10 times the amount of
ground motion as M6 earthquake
Question 4
Magnitude and frequency of earthquakes
Correct Answer
Except for very large earthquakes, the magnitude on the Moment Magnitude Scale is similar to the Richter Scale. The
strongest earthquake to ever occur is M9.5 in Chile in 1960. In Canada, it is M8.1 in B.C. in 1949. There are only a few
M9+ earthquakes each century.
Question 5
Modified Mercalli intensity scale
Correct Answer
A qualitative earthquake measurement scale based on damage to structures and the affect on people. It is based on 12
categories.
Page 2 of 76
,Question 6
Earthquake processes
Correct Answer
Earthquakes are most common at or near plate boundaries. Motion at plate boundaries is not usually smooth or
constant. Friction along plate boundaries exerts a force (stress) on the rocks, exerting strain or deformation. When the
stress exceeds the strength of the rocks, there is a sudden movement along a fault. The movement (or rupture) starts at
the focus and propagates in all directions, called seismic waves. Thus, faults are considered seismic sources. Identifying
faults is necessary to evaluate the risk of an earthquake in a given area. Not all faults reach the Earth's surface. Blind faults
are located below the surface
Question 7
Two types of faults
Correct Answer
1. Strike-slip faults
2. Dip-slip faults
Question 8
Strike-slip faults
Correct Answer
Displacements are horizontal (ex; San Andreas)
Page 3 of 76
, Question 9
Dip-slip faults
Correct Answer
Displacements are vertical. They are comprised of two walls on an incline defined by miners:
1. Footwall (where miners place their feet)
2. Hanging-wall (where miners placed their lanterns)
Question 10
Three types of dip-slip faults
Correct Answer
1. Reverse fault
2. Thrust fault
3. Normal fault
Question 11
Reverse fault
Correct Answer
The hanging-wall has moved up relative to the footwall inclined at an angle steeper than 45 degrees
Page 4 of 76
