NDA 2024 · PYQ · Geomorphology / Earthquakes · medium
Which of the following statements regarding earthquakes is/are correct?
1. The point on the Earth's surface directly above the focus is called the epicentre of the earthquake.
2. Earthquakes generate Primary and Secondary waves that radiate outward from the earthquake focus.
3. Deep-focus earthquakes are likely to cause more damage than shallow-focus earthquakes.
Select the answer using the code given below :
A.1 only
B.1 and 2 only✓ Correct
C.2 and 3 only
D.1, 2 and 3
Explanation
Statements 1 and 2 are correct. The epicentre is indeed the point on the Earth's surface directly above the earthquake's focus (hypocenter). Earthquakes do generate P-waves (Primary, longitudinal) and S-waves (Secondary, transverse) that radiate outward from the focus. Statement 3 is incorrect — shallow-focus earthquakes (depth less than 70 km) typically cause more damage than deep-focus earthquakes because the seismic waves have less distance to travel to the surface, so they retain more energy and cause greater destruction.
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