8th Grade Quiz: Test Your Knowledge About Earth Science!
By now, you will no doubt have learned that volcanoes occur in narrow belts in certain areas of the world. These belts also suffer earthquakes, and they mark out the areas where the Earth's tectonic plates are coming together or moving apart.
- 1.
Mauna Loa, an active volcano of the Hawaiian islands, erupted in 1984. The nearest town is Hilo which is 50 km away. Hilo was not evacuated during the eruption. Why not?
- A.
Hawaii is an LEDC and so the local authorities did not have the money to warn people
- B.
There are no motor vehicles on the island so it was not possible for them to evacuate
- C.
The local authority decided to leave the people of Hilo to sort themselves out
- D.
Mauna Loa eruptions produce only lava and so pose little or no threat to settlements
Correct Answer
D. Mauna Loa eruptions produce only lava and so pose little or no threat to settlementsExplanation
Mauna Loa eruptions produce only lava and pose little or no threat to settlements. Lava flows from this type of eruption are slow-moving and can be predicted and monitored by scientists. Since Hilo, the nearest town, was 50 km away from the volcano, it was considered to be outside the danger zone and therefore not necessary to evacuate.Rate this question:
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- 2.
About 250 million years ago, almost all of the life on Earth became extinct. There was a massive volcanic eruption that lead to the formation of the Siberian Traps at the same time. Some geographers believe that the eruptions that created this geographical feature came from a hotspot volcano. Which of the following pieces of evidence might help to support that idea?
- A.
There is a huge crater at the centre of this feature
- B.
There were lots of layers of volcanic ash
- C.
The Siberian Traps are made up from basaltic lavas
- D.
The Siberian Traps are made from granite
Correct Answer
C. The Siberian Traps are made up from basaltic lavasExplanation
The answer is "The Siberian Traps are made up from basaltic lavas." This supports the idea that the eruptions came from a hotspot volcano because basaltic lavas are commonly associated with hotspot volcanism. Hotspot volcanoes are known to produce basaltic lavas, which are low in silica content and have a higher temperature compared to other types of lava. Therefore, the presence of basaltic lavas in the Siberian Traps suggests that the eruptions were likely caused by a hotspot volcano.Rate this question:
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- 3.
The Deccan Traps in India is an area of lava flows created when India was over the same hotspot that powers the large volcano on the Isle of Reunion. Some scientists believe that it could have been responsible for the extinction of the dinosaurs. Which of the following effects would be the most likely to have killed off the dinosaurs worldwide?
- A.
The release of large amounts of volcanic gases causing climate change
- B.
The lava could have flowed right round the world, burning the dinosaurs to death
- C.
Eathquakes caused by the eruption would have created massive cracks in the ground that the dinosaurs fell into and died of starvation
- D.
A combination of all of them
Correct Answer
A. The release of large amounts of volcanic gases causing climate changeExplanation
The release of large amounts of volcanic gases causing climate change would be the most likely effect to have killed off the dinosaurs worldwide. Volcanic gases such as carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide can cause significant changes in the Earth's climate by trapping heat and blocking sunlight. This could have led to a global cooling effect, causing a decrease in temperature and a disruption in the food chain, ultimately leading to the extinction of the dinosaurs.Rate this question:
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- 4.
Underwater hotspot volcanoes are:
- A.
Shield volcanoes
- B.
Composite cone volcanoes
- C.
Stratified volcanoes
- D.
Vesuvian volcanoes
Correct Answer
A. Shield volcanoesExplanation
Underwater hotspot volcanoes are shield volcanoes. Shield volcanoes are formed by the eruption of low-viscosity lava that spreads out in all directions, creating a broad, gently sloping cone-shaped mountain. These volcanoes have a characteristic shield-like shape, hence the name. Hotspot volcanoes occur where there is a stationary source of magma beneath the Earth's surface, creating a hotspot of volcanic activity. As the magma rises, it erupts through the ocean floor, forming underwater shield volcanoes.Rate this question:
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- 5.
The volcanic event that created the Siberian Traps appears to have created a major global warming event. Which of the following gases could have been released?
- A.
Carbon dioxide
- B.
Sulfur dioxide
- C.
Oxygen
- D.
Nitrogen
Correct Answer
A. Carbon dioxideExplanation
The volcanic event that created the Siberian Traps likely released carbon dioxide. Volcanic eruptions can release large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which can contribute to global warming. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that traps heat in the Earth's atmosphere, leading to an increase in temperatures. The release of carbon dioxide from volcanic activity can have significant impacts on the climate and environment.Rate this question:
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- 6.
How can you describe the lava from a shield volcano?
- A.
Viscous and basaltic
- B.
Viscous and andesitic
- C.
Low viscosity and basaltic
- D.
Low viscosity and andesitic
Correct Answer
C. Low viscosity and basalticExplanation
The lava from a shield volcano is described as having low viscosity and being basaltic. This means that the lava flows easily and spreads out over large areas due to its low resistance to flow. Basaltic lava is also rich in iron and magnesium, which gives it a dark color. This type of lava is commonly found in shield volcanoes, which have gentle slopes and are formed by the accumulation of numerous thin layers of basaltic lava.Rate this question:
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- 7.
Yellowstone National Park in the USA is famous for its hot springs and geysers. It is nowhere near either a destructive or constructive plate boundary so which of the following is the most likely to be the source of heat?
- A.
The Sun
- B.
Nuclear waste
- C.
Fossil fuels
- D.
A hotspot
Correct Answer
D. A hotspotExplanation
A hotspot is the most likely source of heat in Yellowstone National Park. Hotspots are areas of intense volcanic activity that occur in the middle of tectonic plates, far away from plate boundaries. They are believed to be caused by plumes of hot mantle material rising from deep within the Earth. This heat source can create the conditions necessary for the formation of hot springs and geysers, which are prominent features of Yellowstone National Park. The other options, such as the Sun, nuclear waste, and fossil fuels, are not relevant to the geological processes occurring in Yellowstone.Rate this question:
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- 8.
Which of the following is a secondary effect of the eruption of a volcano?
- A.
Animals being suffocated by ash from a volcano
- B.
People being killed when the weight of ash on a roof causes it to collapse
- C.
A flock of sheep being killed by a pyroclastic flow
- D.
Trees in a forest uprooted and destroyed by a lava flow
Correct Answer
B. People being killed when the weight of ash on a roof causes it to collapseExplanation
When a volcano erupts, one of the secondary effects is the weight of ash accumulating on roofs. This heavy layer of ash can cause roofs to collapse, resulting in people being killed. This occurs due to the sheer weight of the ash, which puts excessive pressure on the structure of the roof, leading to its failure. This secondary effect highlights the danger posed by volcanic eruptions and the potential for indirect fatalities caused by the aftermath of an eruption.Rate this question:
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- 9.
The hotspot volcano Piton de la Fournaise is a volcano on the island of Reunion in the Indian Ocean. This is very active and most years, lava from the volcano destroys the road that leads up towards the summit. This is an example of a:
- A.
Primary effect
- B.
Secondary effect
- C.
Tertiary effect
- D.
All of the above
Correct Answer
A. Primary effectExplanation
The destruction of the road by the lava from the Piton de la Fournaise volcano is considered a primary effect. Primary effects refer to the immediate and direct consequences of a natural event, in this case, the volcanic eruption. The destruction of infrastructure, such as roads, is a direct result of the eruption itself. Secondary effects would be the consequences that occur as a result of the primary effects, such as the displacement of people or economic impacts. Tertiary effects would be the long-term consequences that occur as a result of the primary and secondary effects.Rate this question:
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- 10.
Mauna Kea is a volcano on the largest of the Hawaiian islands which lie in the middle of the Pacific tectonic plate. What type of volcano is it likely to be?
- A.
Deccan
- B.
Strombolian
- C.
Composite
- D.
Shield
Correct Answer
D. ShieldExplanation
Mauna Kea is likely to be a shield volcano. Shield volcanoes are characterized by their broad, flattened shape and gentle slopes. They are formed by the eruption of fluid lava that flows easily and covers a large area, creating a shield-like structure. Mauna Kea, being located on the Hawaiian islands which are formed by volcanic activity, fits the description of a shield volcano due to its broad shape and the presence of fluid lava flows.Rate this question:
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Mar 21, 2023Quiz Edited by
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May 07, 2019Quiz Created by
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