Questions & Answers
Browse all 25 questions from the
Natural Disasters Quiz study set below.
Each question shows the correct answer — select a study format above to practice interactively.
1
What is the name of the scientist who studies earthquakes?
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A
Meteorologist
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B
Seismologist
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C
Biologist
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D
Astronomer
2
Which scale is commonly used to measure the magnitude of an earthquake?
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A
Richter scale
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B
Celsius scale
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C
Beaufort scale
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D
Kelvin scale
3
A large ocean wave caused by an underwater earthquake is called a:
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A
Tide
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B
Current
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C
Tsunami
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D
Surge
4
What do you call the molten rock that erupts from a volcano?
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A
Magma
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B
Lava
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C
Ash
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D
Pumice
5
Which type of natural disaster is a rapidly rotating column of air extending from a thunderstorm to the ground?
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A
Hurricane
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B
Blizzard
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C
Tornado
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D
Drought
6
What is the term for a tropical cyclone that forms over the Atlantic Ocean?
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A
Typhoon
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B
Cyclone
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C
Hurricane
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D
Monsoon
7
Which of the following is a long period of time with very little or no rainfall?
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A
Flood
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B
Drought
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C
Landslide
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D
Hailstorm
8
What is the point on the Earth's surface directly above the focus of an earthquake called?
-
A
Epicenter
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B
Fault line
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C
Crater
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D
Plate
9
A blizzard is characterized by strong winds and what type of precipitation?
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A
Rain
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B
Hail
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C
Snow
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D
Sleet
10
Which of these natural disasters occurs when an area of land that is usually dry becomes submerged in water?
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A
Wildfire
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B
Flood
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C
Avalanche
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D
Tornado
11
What is the name of the ring-shaped zone in the Pacific Ocean where many earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur?
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A
Ring of Fire
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B
Pacific Belt
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C
Volcano Circle
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D
Earthquake Zone
12
Which instrument is used to detect and record earthquake vibrations?
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A
Thermometer
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B
Barometer
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C
Seismograph
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D
Anemometer
13
What is a fast-moving flow of snow and ice down a mountainside called?
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A
Landslide
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B
Mudslide
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C
Avalanche
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D
Rockfall
14
Wildfires are most likely to start during which type of weather conditions?
-
A
Humid and rainy
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B
Hot and dry
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C
Cold and snowy
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D
Windy and cloudy
15
What is the center of a hurricane called?
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A
Eye
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B
Core
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C
Hub
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D
Focus
16
Which of these describes a landslide?
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A
Strong winds blowing trees down
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B
Large amounts of rock and soil moving down a slope
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C
A river overflowing its banks
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D
A sudden volcanic eruption
17
What is the main source of heat that causes a wildfire to spread rapidly?
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A
Lightning strikes
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B
Burning vegetation
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C
Volcanic lava
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D
Human negligence
18
Which type of disaster involves the shaking of the Earth's crust?
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A
Earthquake
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B
Tsunami
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C
Hurricane
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D
Drought
19
What is a storm with thunder and lightning called?
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A
Blizzard
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B
Cyclone
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C
Thunderstorm
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D
Tornado
20
Which of these is a secondary effect often caused by a severe drought?
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A
Wildfire
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B
Flood
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C
Avalanche
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D
Tsunami
21
What is the name for the crack in the Earth's crust where movement occurs during an earthquake?
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A
Fault
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B
Trench
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C
Ridge
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D
Valley
22
What causes the majority of tsunamis?
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A
Volcanic eruptions
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B
Underwater earthquakes
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C
Strong winds
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D
High tides
23
Which of these provides the most warning time before it happens?
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A
Earthquake
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B
Hurricane
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C
Tornado
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D
Lightning
24
What is the name of the hot, molten rock found beneath the Earth's surface?
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A
Lava
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B
Magma
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C
Ash
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D
Obsidian
25
Which natural disaster involves heavy rain that causes water to overflow from a river or sea?
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A
Drought
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B
Flood
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C
Blizzard
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D
Tornado
