An earthquake occurs at a convergent boundary. The earthquake has a high magnitude, and an observer reports the earthquake having low intensity. Which statement about the earthquake is correct?(1 point)

Responses

The earthquake was caused by plates moving apart. It released a lot of energy, but the observer did not see much damage.
The earthquake was caused by plates moving apart. It released a lot of energy, but the observer did not see much damage.

The earthquake was caused by plates moving apart. It did not release much energy, but the observer saw a lot of damage.
The earthquake was caused by plates moving apart. It did not release much energy, but the observer saw a lot of damage.

The earthquake was caused by plates moving together. It released a lot of energy, but the observer did not see much damage.
The earthquake was caused by plates moving together. It released a lot of energy, but the observer did not see much damage.

The earthquake was caused by plates moving together. It did not release much energy, but the observer saw a lot of damage.

3 answers

The correct statement about the earthquake is:

The earthquake was caused by plates moving together. It released a lot of energy, but the observer did not see much damage.

This is accurate because convergent boundaries (where plates move together) are typically associated with high-magnitude earthquakes due to the significant stress that builds up at these boundaries. However, the intensity experienced (the observer's perception of the earthquake effects) can be low if the earthquake occurred at a great depth or if the area was not populated or structurally vulnerable.

earthquake make big shake

Yes, earthquakes can produce strong shaking that is felt over various distances from the epicenter, which is the point on the Earth's surface directly above where the earthquake originates. The shaking intensity can vary based on several factors, including:

  1. Magnitude: A higher magnitude earthquake releases more energy, resulting in stronger shaking.

  2. Depth: Shallow earthquakes typically cause more intense shaking at the surface than deeper earthquakes.

  3. Distance from the epicenter: The closer you are to the epicenter, the stronger the shaking you'll likely feel.

  4. Geological conditions: The type of soil or rock in the area can affect how seismic waves travel and how much shaking is felt.

  5. Building structures: Well-engineered buildings can withstand shaking better than poorly constructed ones, affecting the overall perception of an earthquake's impact.

In regions prone to seismic activity, people are encouraged to have earthquake preparedness plans in place and to understand the safety measures to take during an earthquake.