Question
Select the best evidence to support the statement "There has been a large increase in the number of earthquakes since the 1970s." There may be more than one correct choice.
Within the central and eastern United States, the number of earthquakes has changed dramatically over the past few years. Between the years 1973-2008, there was an average of twenty-one earthquakes of magnitude three and larger in the central and eastern United States. This rate jumped to an average of ninety-nine magnitude three or larger earthquakes per year in 2009-2013, and the rate continues to rise. In 2014, alone, there were 659 magnitude three and larger earthquakes. Most of these earthquakes are in the magnitude 3-4 range, large enough to have been felt by many people, yet small enough to rarely cause damage.
The change in the number of earthquakes prompts two important questions: first, are the earthquakes natural or manmade? Second, what should be done in the
future as we address the causes and consequences of these events to reduce
associated risks?
Adapted from United States Geological Survey,
Within the central and eastern United States, the number of earthquakes has changed dramatically over the past few years. Between the years 1973-2008, there was an average of twenty-one earthquakes of magnitude three and larger in the central and eastern United States. This rate jumped to an average of ninety-nine magnitude three or larger earthquakes per year in 2009-2013, and the rate continues to rise. In 2014, alone, there were 659 magnitude three and larger earthquakes. Most of these earthquakes are in the magnitude 3-4 range, large enough to have been felt by many people, yet small enough to rarely cause damage.
The change in the number of earthquakes prompts two important questions: first, are the earthquakes natural or manmade? Second, what should be done in the
future as we address the causes and consequences of these events to reduce
associated risks?
Adapted from United States Geological Survey,
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The best evidence to support the statement "There has been a large increase in the number of earthquakes since the 1970s" from the provided text includes:
1. The average of twenty-one earthquakes of magnitude three and larger in the central and eastern United States between the years 1973-2008, contrasted with the average of ninety-nine magnitude three or larger earthquakes per year in the period of 2009-2013. This shows a significant increase in the frequency of earthquakes over time.
2. The specific fact that in 2014 alone there were 659 magnitude three and larger earthquakes, which further illustrates the dramatic rise in the number of such events compared to prior years.
These pieces of information together clearly demonstrate a large increase in the number of earthquakes since the 1970s.
1. The average of twenty-one earthquakes of magnitude three and larger in the central and eastern United States between the years 1973-2008, contrasted with the average of ninety-nine magnitude three or larger earthquakes per year in the period of 2009-2013. This shows a significant increase in the frequency of earthquakes over time.
2. The specific fact that in 2014 alone there were 659 magnitude three and larger earthquakes, which further illustrates the dramatic rise in the number of such events compared to prior years.
These pieces of information together clearly demonstrate a large increase in the number of earthquakes since the 1970s.