Earth Unleashed: A Quiz on Volcanoes and Earthquakes

Natural disasters such as volcanoes and earthquakes have shaped our planet for millions of years. From the explosive power of Mount Vesuvius to the ground-shaking forces of the San Andreas Fault, these phenomena remind us of Earth’s raw energy. Understanding their causes, effects, and geography not only feeds our curiosity but also helps us prepare for the future.

Whether you’re a geology buff or just intrigued by nature’s most dramatic forces, this 10-question quiz will test your knowledge of volcanoes and earthquakes. Each question has five possible answers, but only one is correct. You’ll find the answers at the end — no peeking!

Let’s see how solid your geological knowledge really is!

🌍 Volcanoes & Earthquakes Quiz

1. What causes most earthquakes?
A) Tornadoes
B) Ocean currents
C) Tectonic plate movements
D) Lightning strikes
E) Solar flares

2. Which type of volcano is the largest in terms of size?
A) Cinder cone
B) Stratovolcano
C) Lava dome
D) Shield volcano
E) Fissure vent

3. What scale is commonly used to measure the magnitude of earthquakes?
A) Beaufort scale
B) Richter scale
C) Celsius scale
D) Newton scale
E) Mercalli scale

4. Mount Vesuvius destroyed which ancient Roman city in 79 AD?
A) Rome
B) Pompeii
C) Naples
D) Florence
E) Venice

5. Which U.S. state has the most active volcanoes?
A) California
B) Alaska
C) Hawaii
D) Oregon
E) Washington

6. What is the Ring of Fire?
A) A volcanic region on Mars
B) A belt of earthquakes in Africa
C) An area in the Atlantic Ocean with no volcanoes
D) A circular area in the Pacific with high volcanic activity
E) A region in Antarctica

7. Which layer of the Earth do tectonic plates float on?
A) Inner core
B) Crust
C) Lithosphere
D) Asthenosphere
E) Mantle

8. What is lava called before it erupts from a volcano?
A) Slag
B) Magma
C) Ash
D) Crust
E) Firestone

9. Which volcano famously erupted in 1980 in the United States?
A) Mount Hood
B) Mauna Loa
C) Mount Rainier
D) Mount St. Helens
E) Mount McKinley

10. What is a seismograph used for?
A) To measure volcano temperatures
B) To locate oil reserves
C) To detect tsunamis
D) To measure soil erosion
E) To record earthquake activity