Earthquakes — KCSE Geography

KCSE Geography · 57 practice questions · 4 syllabus objectives

20 easy20 medium17 hard

What You'll Learn

Key learning outcomes for this topic, aligned to the KNEC KCSE syllabus.

Define an earthquake and explain the concepts of focus, epicentre, seismic waves (P, S and L waves) and the Richter scale

Describe the global distribution of earthquake zones and explain why earthquakes occur at plate boundaries

Explain the effects of earthquakes and tsunamis on people, settlements and the environment; describe measures to reduce earthquake hazards

Earthquakes

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easySHORT ANSWER3 marks

Define a tsunami and explain its potential effects on coastal communities. (3 marks)

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Part (a) — 1 mark

Tsunami: a series of large ocean waves typically caused by underwater earthquakes or volcanic eruptions (1 mk)

Part (b) — 2 marks

Destruction of infrastructure such as homes, roads, and ports due to flooding (1 mk)

Loss of life and injuries to residents and visitors in the affected areas (1 mk)

easySHORT ANSWER3 marks

State three reasons why earthquake zones are primarily located at tectonic plate boundaries. (3 marks)

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Part (a) — 3 marks

Tectonic plates are constantly moving, leading to stress build-up at their edges (1 mk)

Subduction zones create intense pressure and friction, causing earthquakes (1 mk)

Transform boundaries experience lateral sliding, resulting in seismic activity (1 mk)

easySHORT ANSWER4 marks

State the meaning of the Richter scale and describe the following: (a) P waves (b) S waves (c) L waves. (4 marks)

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Part (a) — 1 mark

Richter scale: a logarithmic scale used to measure the magnitude of an earthquake (1 mk)

Part (b) — 1 mark

P waves: primary waves that are the fastest seismic waves and travel through solids and liquids (1 mk)

Part (c) — 1 mark

S waves: secondary waves that are slower than P waves and only travel through solids (1 mk)

Part (d) — 1 mark

L waves: surface waves that cause most of the damage during an earthquake and travel along the earth's surface (1 mk)

State the definition of an earthquake and explain the following terms: (a) focus (b) epicentre (c) seismic waves. (4 marks)