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With reference to the earthquakes, consider the following statements:
1. Deep-focus earthquakes are highly destructive because of high wave amplitude at the surface.
2. The Circum-pacific belt accounts for 65 percent of the total earthquakes in the world.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
  • a)
    1 only
  • b)
    2 only
  • c)
    Both 1 and 2
  • d)
    Neither 1 nor 2
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?
Most Upvoted Answer
With reference to the earthquakes, consider the following statements:1...
2 only

Earthquakes are natural disasters that can cause significant damage and loss of life. Understanding the characteristics of earthquakes is essential for disaster preparedness and response.

Circum-Pacific Belt
The Circum-Pacific belt, also known as the Ring of Fire, is an area around the Pacific Ocean where a large number of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur. This region accounts for about 65 percent of the total earthquakes in the world. The tectonic activity in this area, including subduction zones and fault lines, makes it highly prone to seismic events.

Therefore, statement 2 is correct as the Circum-Pacific belt is indeed responsible for a significant portion of global earthquakes.

Deep-focus earthquakes
Deep-focus earthquakes originate at depths of more than 300 km below the Earth's surface. These earthquakes occur in subduction zones where tectonic plates converge. While deep-focus earthquakes can produce powerful seismic waves, their destructive potential is limited by the attenuation of energy as it travels through the Earth's interior. As a result, deep-focus earthquakes are generally less destructive at the surface compared to shallow earthquakes with similar magnitudes.

Therefore, statement 1 is incorrect as deep-focus earthquakes are not necessarily highly destructive due to the attenuation of energy at depth.

In conclusion, statement 2 is correct while statement 1 is incorrect.
Free Test
Community Answer
With reference to the earthquakes, consider the following statements:1...
  • Earthquake focus depth is an important factor in shaping the characteristics of the waves and the damage they inflict. The focal depth can be deep (from 300 to 700 km), intermediate (60 to 300 km) or shallow (less than 60 km).
  • Deep focus earthquakes are rarely destructive because the wave amplitude is greatly attenuated by the time it reaches the surface. Hence statement 1 is not correct.
  • Shallow focus earthquakes are more common and are extremely damaging because of their close proximity to the surface.
  • The main seismic belts are as under:
    • Circum-Pacific Belt: The Belt includes the coastal margins of North America, South America and East Asia. These are as represent the eastern and western margins of the Pacific Ocean respectively, and account for about 65 per cent of the total earthquakes of the world. Hence statement 2 is correct.
      • The western marginal zones are represented by the Rockies and the Andes mountain chains. These are also the zones of convergent plate boundaries where the Pacific oceanic plate is subducted below the American plates.
      • The eastern marginal zones are represented by the island arcs of Kamchatka, Sakhalin, Japan and Philippines. The earthquakes are caused due to collision of the Pacific and the Asiatic plates and the consequent volcanic activity. Japan records about 1500 seismic shocks every year.
    • Mid-Continental Belt: The Mid-Continental Belt includes the Alpine mountains and their off shoots in Europe, Mediterranean Sea, northern Africa, eastern Africa and the Himalayas. The Mid-Continental Belt extends through Sulaiman and Kirthar zones in the west, the Himalayas in the north and Myanmar in the east. This belt represents the weaker zone of Fold Mountains. About 21 per cent of the total seismic events are recorded in this belt.
    • Mid-Atlantic Ridge Belt: The Mid-Atlantic Ridge Belt includes the Mid-Atlantic ridge and several islands near the ridge. It records moderate earthquakes which are caused due to the moving of plates in the opposite directions. Thus the seafloor spreading and the fissure type of volcanic eruptions cause earthquakes of moderate intensity in this region.
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With reference to the earthquakes, consider the following statements:1. Deep-focus earthquakes are highly destructive because of high wave amplitude at the surface.2. The Circum-pacific belt accounts for 65 percent of the total earthquakes in the world.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?a)1 onlyb)2 onlyc)Both 1 and 2d)Neither 1 nor 2Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?
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