Question

Tsunamis are seismic sea waves caused by earthquakes that occur under the ocean. During a tsunami, large waves can flood nearby coasts, causing damage to life and property.

In 2014, an earthquake of magnitude 8.2 occurred off the coast of Chile, sending six-foot-tall waves toward coastal towns and cities. The first waves took approximately 45 minutes to reach land.

Which of the following actions can help reduce the loss of life from a tsunami?
A.
using radar imaging to detect tornadoes on land
B.
monitoring seismic activity to detect undersea earthquakes
C.
monitoring volcanic activity to detect undersea eruptions
D.
using satellite imaging to detect hurricanes at sea

Answer 1

B. monitoring seismic activity to detect undersea earthquakes

Detecting undersea earthquakes quickly allows tsunami warnings and evacuation orders to be issued (as in the 2014 Chile event), which can greatly reduce loss of life.