Middle School Earth and Space Science : Natural Disasters and Climate Change

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Determine What Can Be Done To Prevent Or Predict Natural Disasters

Screen shot 2020 06 17 at 3.50.49 pm

The image above shows the actual path a hurricane took vs the path predicted by scientists. Which of the following statements is false?

Possible Answers:

Ohio suffered the most damage from the storm because they didn't know the storm was coming

hurricanes are difficult to predict

it is most important that the people on the south east coast near South Carolina were evacuated quickly

the storm was not as strong as it made landfall and continued through the north eastern states

Correct answer:

Ohio suffered the most damage from the storm because they didn't know the storm was coming

Explanation:

The answer is "Ohio suffered the most damage from the storm because they didn't know the storm was coming" because the storm would not be as severe after it had traveled on land for a time and would probably cause the most damage near the coast of South Carolina due to flooding.

Predicting the size, location, and timing of natural hazards is virtually impossible. Sometimes scientists can track the direction of hurricanes, or predict the affected areas of a flood, but most other types of natural disasters are even more difficult to predict than those

Avalanche- a large amount of snow moving quickly down a mountain, typically on slopes of 30 to 45 degrees. Avalanches can be caused by people, new snow and wind.

Earthquake- a sudden, rapid shaking of the ground caused by the shifting of rocks deep underneath the earth’s surface. Earthquakes can happen without warning and can result in injuries and damage to property and roads. Earthquakes can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches. While they can happen anywhere, areas at higher risk for earthquakes include California, Oregon, Washington, and other places that are directly above fault lines.

Flooding- a temporary overflow of water onto land that is normally dry. Floods are the most common natural disaster in the United States. Failing to evacuate flooded areas or entering flood waters can lead to injury or death. Floods can develop slowly or quickly. Flash floods can come with no warning.

Hurricanes- also called typhoons and cyclones, are dangerous storms of swirling winds and can cause major damage due to storm surge, wind damage, and flooding. Storm surge is historically the leading cause of hurricane-related deaths in the United States.

Other types of natural disasters include tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, wildfires, and tornadoes.

Example Question #2 : Determine What Can Be Done To Prevent Or Predict Natural Disasters

Screen shot 2020 06 18 at 9.57.33 am

The image shows natural disasters that cost the United States billions of dollars in 2018. What important conclusions can we draw from the image?

Possible Answers:

natural disasters are difficult to predict but it is easy to repair and recover from them

natural disasters are difficult to predict but their impact is economic and rarely costs people their lives

none of these

any type of natural disaster could happen anywhere at any moment

Correct answer:

none of these

Explanation:

The answer is "none of these." Natural disasters cost many people their lives and it is very expensive to repair infrastructure in the aftermath. They are difficult to predict but certain areas are more likely to experience certain kinds of natural disasters. 

Predicting the size, location, and timing of natural hazards is virtually impossible. Sometimes scientists can track the direction of hurricanes, or predict the affected areas of a flood, but most other types of natural disasters are even more difficult to predict than those

Avalanche- a large amount of snow moving quickly down a mountain, typically on slopes of 30 to 45 degrees. Avalanches can be caused by people, new snow and wind.

Earthquake- a sudden, rapid shaking of the ground caused by the shifting of rocks deep underneath the earth’s surface. Earthquakes can happen without warning and can result in injuries and damage to property and roads. Earthquakes can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches. While they can happen anywhere, areas at higher risk for earthquakes include California, Oregon, Washington, and other places that are directly above fault lines.

Flooding- a temporary overflow of water onto land that is normally dry. Floods are the most common natural disaster in the United States. Failing to evacuate flooded areas or entering flood waters can lead to injury or death. Floods can develop slowly or quickly. Flash floods can come with no warning.

Hurricanes- also called typhoons and cyclones, are dangerous storms of swirling winds and can cause major damage due to storm surge, wind damage, and flooding. Storm surge is historically the leading cause of hurricane-related deaths in the United States.

Other types of natural disasters include tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, wildfires, and tornadoes.

Example Question #3 : Determine What Can Be Done To Prevent Or Predict Natural Disasters

What type of natural disaster is most likely to affect the western coast of the United States?

Possible Answers:

wildfires and earthquakes

hail storms and tornadoes

earthquakes and tornadoes

wildfires and tsunamis

Correct answer:

wildfires and earthquakes

Explanation:

The answer is "wildfires and earthquakes."

Predicting the size, location, and timing of natural hazards is virtually impossible. Sometimes scientists can track the direction of hurricanes, or predict the affected areas of a flood, but most other types of natural disasters are even more difficult to predict than those

Avalanche- a large amount of snow moving quickly down a mountain, typically on slopes of 30 to 45 degrees. Avalanches can be caused by people, new snow and wind.

Earthquake- a sudden, rapid shaking of the ground caused by the shifting of rocks deep underneath the earth’s surface. Earthquakes can happen without warning and can result in injuries and damage to property and roads. Earthquakes can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches. While they can happen anywhere, areas at higher risk for earthquakes include California, Oregon, Washington, and other places that are directly above fault lines.

Flooding- a temporary overflow of water onto land that is normally dry. Floods are the most common natural disaster in the United States. Failing to evacuate flooded areas or entering flood waters can lead to injury or death. Floods can develop slowly or quickly. Flash floods can come with no warning.

Hurricanes- also called typhoons and cyclones, are dangerous storms of swirling winds and can cause major damage due to storm surge, wind damage, and flooding. Storm surge is historically the leading cause of hurricane-related deaths in the United States.

Other types of natural disasters include tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, wildfires, and tornadoes.

Example Question #4 : Determine What Can Be Done To Prevent Or Predict Natural Disasters

Which of the following can be caused by an Earthquake?

Possible Answers:

avalanche

landslide

all of these

tsunami

Correct answer:

all of these

Explanation:

The answer is all of these.

Predicting the size, location, and timing of natural hazards is virtually impossible. Sometimes scientists can track the direction of hurricanes, or predict the affected areas of a flood, but most other types of natural disasters are even more difficult to predict than those

Avalanche- a large amount of snow moving quickly down a mountain, typically on slopes of 30 to 45 degrees. Avalanches can be caused by people, new snow and wind.

Earthquake- a sudden, rapid shaking of the ground caused by the shifting of rocks deep underneath the earth’s surface. Earthquakes can happen without warning and can result in injuries and damage to property and roads. Earthquakes can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches. While they can happen anywhere, areas at higher risk for earthquakes include California, Oregon, Washington, and other places that are directly above fault lines.

Flooding- a temporary overflow of water onto land that is normally dry. Floods are the most common natural disaster in the United States. Failing to evacuate flooded areas or entering flood waters can lead to injury or death. Floods can develop slowly or quickly. Flash floods can come with no warning.

Hurricanes- also called typhoons and cyclones, are dangerous storms of swirling winds and can cause major damage due to storm surge, wind damage, and flooding. Storm surge is historically the leading cause of hurricane-related deaths in the United States.

Other types of natural disasters include tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, wildfires, and tornadoes.

Example Question #5 : Determine What Can Be Done To Prevent Or Predict Natural Disasters

Which of these is NOT a natural disaster?

Possible Answers:

tornado

wildfire

cyclone

nuclear disaster

Correct answer:

nuclear disaster

Explanation:

The answer is "nuclear disaster" because they are man-made disasters.

Predicting the size, location, and timing of natural hazards is virtually impossible. Sometimes scientists can track the direction of hurricanes, or predict the affected areas of a flood, but most other types of natural disasters are even more difficult to predict than those

Avalanche- a large amount of snow moving quickly down a mountain, typically on slopes of 30 to 45 degrees. Avalanches can be caused by people, new snow and wind.

Earthquake- a sudden, rapid shaking of the ground caused by the shifting of rocks deep underneath the earth’s surface. Earthquakes can happen without warning and can result in injuries and damage to property and roads. Earthquakes can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches. While they can happen anywhere, areas at higher risk for earthquakes include California, Oregon, Washington, and other places that are directly above fault lines.

Flooding- a temporary overflow of water onto land that is normally dry. Floods are the most common natural disaster in the United States. Failing to evacuate flooded areas or entering flood waters can lead to injury or death. Floods can develop slowly or quickly. Flash floods can come with no warning.

Hurricanes- also called typhoons and cyclones, are dangerous storms of swirling winds and can cause major damage due to storm surge, wind damage, and flooding. Storm surge is historically the leading cause of hurricane-related deaths in the United States.

Other types of natural disasters include tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, wildfires, and tornadoes.

Example Question #1 : Determine What Can Be Done To Prevent Or Predict Natural Disasters

Which of the following instruments can best help us predict the path of a natural disaster like a hurricane?

Possible Answers:

a thermometer

a windmill

satellites

binoculars

Correct answer:

satellites

Explanation:

The answer is "satellites."

Predicting the size, location, and timing of natural hazards is virtually impossible. However, we can use tools like satellites to predict the path of and learn more about natural disasters as they occur. Sometimes scientists can track the direction of hurricanes, or predict the affected areas of a flood, but most other types of natural disasters are even more difficult to predict than those.

Avalanche- a large amount of snow moving quickly down a mountain, typically on slopes of 30 to 45 degrees. Avalanches can be caused by people, new snow and wind.
Earthquake- a sudden, rapid shaking of the ground caused by the shifting of rocks deep underneath the earth’s surface. Earthquakes can happen without warning and can result in injuries and damage to property and roads. Earthquakes can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches. While they can happen anywhere, areas at higher risk for earthquakes include California, Oregon, Washington, and other places that are directly above fault lines.
Flooding- a temporary overflow of water onto land that is normally dry. Floods are the most common natural disaster in the United States. Failing to evacuate flooded areas or entering flood waters can lead to injury or death. Floods can develop slowly or quickly. Flash floods can come with no warning.
Hurricanes- also called typhoons and cyclones, are dangerous storms of swirling winds and can cause major damage due to storm surge, wind damage, and flooding. Storm surge is historically the leading cause of hurricane-related deaths in the United States.
Other types of natural disasters include tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, wildfires, and tornadoes.

Example Question #2 : Determine What Can Be Done To Prevent Or Predict Natural Disasters

Which of the following scientific tools would be used to track the global spread of volcanic ash after a volcano erupts?

Possible Answers:

satellites

seismometers

seismograph

spectrometer

Correct answer:

satellites

Explanation:

The answer is "satellites."

Predicting the size, location, and timing of natural hazards is virtually impossible. However, we can use tools like satellites to predict the path of and learn more about natural disasters as they occur. Sometimes scientists can track the direction of hurricanes, or predict the affected areas of a flood, but most other types of natural disasters are even more difficult to predict than those.

Avalanche- a large amount of snow moving quickly down a mountain, typically on slopes of 30 to 45 degrees. Avalanches can be caused by people, new snow and wind.
Earthquake- a sudden, rapid shaking of the ground caused by the shifting of rocks deep underneath the earth’s surface. Earthquakes can happen without warning and can result in injuries and damage to property and roads. Earthquakes can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches. While they can happen anywhere, areas at higher risk for earthquakes include California, Oregon, Washington, and other places that are directly above fault lines.
Flooding- a temporary overflow of water onto land that is normally dry. Floods are the most common natural disaster in the United States. Failing to evacuate flooded areas or entering flood waters can lead to injury or death. Floods can develop slowly or quickly. Flash floods can come with no warning.
Hurricanes- also called typhoons and cyclones, are dangerous storms of swirling winds and can cause major damage due to storm surge, wind damage, and flooding. Storm surge is historically the leading cause of hurricane-related deaths in the United States.
Other types of natural disasters include tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, wildfires, and tornadoes.

Example Question #3 : Determine What Can Be Done To Prevent Or Predict Natural Disasters

How can satellite imagery be used to study a hurricane after it has landed and moved on from the coast?

Possible Answers:

to measure the ocean depth

to record the amount of beach erosion

to find sharks in the water

to map the coast of the island

Correct answer:

to record the amount of beach erosion

Explanation:

Predicting the size, location, and timing of natural hazards is virtually impossible. However, we can use tools like satellites to predict the path of and learn more about natural disasters as they occur. Sometimes scientists can track the direction of hurricanes, or predict the affected areas of a flood, but most other types of natural disasters are even more difficult to predict than those.

Avalanche- a large amount of snow moving quickly down a mountain, typically on slopes of 30 to 45 degrees. Avalanches can be caused by people, new snow and wind.
Earthquake- a sudden, rapid shaking of the ground caused by the shifting of rocks deep underneath the earth’s surface. Earthquakes can happen without warning and can result in injuries and damage to property and roads. Earthquakes can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches. While they can happen anywhere, areas at higher risk for earthquakes include California, Oregon, Washington, and other places that are directly above fault lines.
Flooding- a temporary overflow of water onto land that is normally dry. Floods are the most common natural disaster in the United States. Failing to evacuate flooded areas or entering flood waters can lead to injury or death. Floods can develop slowly or quickly. Flash floods can come with no warning.
Hurricanes- also called typhoons and cyclones, are dangerous storms of swirling winds and can cause major damage due to storm surge, wind damage, and flooding. Storm surge is historically the leading cause of hurricane-related deaths in the United States.
Other types of natural disasters include tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, wildfires, and tornadoes.

Example Question #4 : Determine What Can Be Done To Prevent Or Predict Natural Disasters

Which of the following phrases describes the practice of going to a specific location on the Earth's surface to verify data collected by satellites?

Possible Answers:

top to bottom data

baseline verification

ground truthing

surface data

Correct answer:

ground truthing

Explanation:

Predicting the size, location, and timing of natural hazards is virtually impossible. However, we can use tools like satellites to predict the path of and learn more about natural disasters as they occur. Sometimes scientists can track the direction of hurricanes, or predict the affected areas of a flood, but most other types of natural disasters are even more difficult to predict than those.

Avalanche- a large amount of snow moving quickly down a mountain, typically on slopes of 30 to 45 degrees. Avalanches can be caused by people, new snow and wind.
Earthquake- a sudden, rapid shaking of the ground caused by the shifting of rocks deep underneath the earth’s surface. Earthquakes can happen without warning and can result in injuries and damage to property and roads. Earthquakes can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches. While they can happen anywhere, areas at higher risk for earthquakes include California, Oregon, Washington, and other places that are directly above fault lines.
Flooding- a temporary overflow of water onto land that is normally dry. Floods are the most common natural disaster in the United States. Failing to evacuate flooded areas or entering flood waters can lead to injury or death. Floods can develop slowly or quickly. Flash floods can come with no warning.
Hurricanes- also called typhoons and cyclones, are dangerous storms of swirling winds and can cause major damage due to storm surge, wind damage, and flooding. Storm surge is historically the leading cause of hurricane-related deaths in the United States.
Other types of natural disasters include tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, wildfires, and tornadoes.

Example Question #5 : Determine What Can Be Done To Prevent Or Predict Natural Disasters

Which of the following factors affect the likelihood that an avalanche will occur?

Possible Answers:

none of these

steepness of a slope

recent heavy snowfall

wind direction

all of these

Correct answer:

all of these

Explanation:

The answer is "all of these."

Predicting the size, location, and timing of natural hazards is virtually impossible. However, we can use tools like satellites to predict the path of and learn more about natural disasters as they occur. Sometimes scientists can track the direction of hurricanes, or predict the affected areas of a flood, but most other types of natural disasters are even more difficult to predict than those.

Avalanche- a large amount of snow moving quickly down a mountain, typically on slopes of 30 to 45 degrees. Avalanches can be caused by people, new snow and wind.
Earthquake- a sudden, rapid shaking of the ground caused by the shifting of rocks deep underneath the earth’s surface. Earthquakes can happen without warning and can result in injuries and damage to property and roads. Earthquakes can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches. While they can happen anywhere, areas at higher risk for earthquakes include California, Oregon, Washington, and other places that are directly above fault lines.
Flooding- a temporary overflow of water onto land that is normally dry. Floods are the most common natural disaster in the United States. Failing to evacuate flooded areas or entering flood waters can lead to injury or death. Floods can develop slowly or quickly. Flash floods can come with no warning.
Hurricanes- also called typhoons and cyclones, are dangerous storms of swirling winds and can cause major damage due to storm surge, wind damage, and flooding. Storm surge is historically the leading cause of hurricane-related deaths in the United States.
Other types of natural disasters include tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, wildfires, and tornadoes.

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