FDSCI 201 Natural Disasters Final Exam Study Guide Questions and Answers Latest Update
2025/2026
What are the 3 types of plate boundaries? - Answers Convergent, Divergent, Transform
What are some other features associated with convergent plate boundaries? - Answers Deep
trenches, volcanoes
What are some other features associated with divergent plate boundaries? - Answers New crust
is created, form mtn ranges/volcanoes underwater.
What are some other features associated with transform plate boundaries? - Answers Faults are
created, often cause earthquakes
Which type of fault is usually found at the base of mountains in the western US? - Answers
Normal Faults
What is liquefaction? - Answers When saturated soil loses strength in an earthquake and
behaves like liquid
In what type of material does liquefaction happen? - Answers Sandy material
The largest earthquakes happen at what type of plate boundaries? - Answers Convergent
boundaries
What is the epicenter of an earthquake? - Answers The point on the earths surface directly
above the hypocenter
What is the hypocenter of an earthquake? - Answers The hypocenter is the point within the earth
where an earthquake rupture starts
Where can earthquakes happen in the US? - Answers Anywhere
What are the two largest earthquakes on record? - Answers Valdivia, Chile 22 May 1960
(9.5)Prince William Sound, Alaska, 28 March 1964 (9.2)
Which case study earthquake had the highest death toll? - Answers Tangshan, China 1976
Where in the US did 3 large earthquakes happen in a short amount of time? - Answers New
Madrid
Where was the largest earthquake in European history? - Answers Messina, Italy
What are the different types of volcanoes and how are they identified? - Answers 1. Cinder Cone
Volcano- Small, bowl shaped crater
2. Composite or Strato- steep sided cones, largest volcano.
2025/2026
What are the 3 types of plate boundaries? - Answers Convergent, Divergent, Transform
What are some other features associated with convergent plate boundaries? - Answers Deep
trenches, volcanoes
What are some other features associated with divergent plate boundaries? - Answers New crust
is created, form mtn ranges/volcanoes underwater.
What are some other features associated with transform plate boundaries? - Answers Faults are
created, often cause earthquakes
Which type of fault is usually found at the base of mountains in the western US? - Answers
Normal Faults
What is liquefaction? - Answers When saturated soil loses strength in an earthquake and
behaves like liquid
In what type of material does liquefaction happen? - Answers Sandy material
The largest earthquakes happen at what type of plate boundaries? - Answers Convergent
boundaries
What is the epicenter of an earthquake? - Answers The point on the earths surface directly
above the hypocenter
What is the hypocenter of an earthquake? - Answers The hypocenter is the point within the earth
where an earthquake rupture starts
Where can earthquakes happen in the US? - Answers Anywhere
What are the two largest earthquakes on record? - Answers Valdivia, Chile 22 May 1960
(9.5)Prince William Sound, Alaska, 28 March 1964 (9.2)
Which case study earthquake had the highest death toll? - Answers Tangshan, China 1976
Where in the US did 3 large earthquakes happen in a short amount of time? - Answers New
Madrid
Where was the largest earthquake in European history? - Answers Messina, Italy
What are the different types of volcanoes and how are they identified? - Answers 1. Cinder Cone
Volcano- Small, bowl shaped crater
2. Composite or Strato- steep sided cones, largest volcano.
