How many do you know? An earthquake trivia quiz: from general knowledge to fun facts
When an earthquake strikes, are you confident you can take the right actions? Information about earthquakes themselves and evacuation procedures is continually updated as new quakes occur over time, so many people still hold outdated or incorrect knowledge.
In this article, we present earthquake trivia and fun facts for the general public in a quiz format! You can enjoy learning useful knowledge for emergencies—such as what actions to take when an earthquake happens, the seismic intensity scale, and the number for the disaster message service.
To strengthen your disaster preparedness, why not take this opportunity to review the earthquake knowledge you “thought you knew”?
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How many do you know? Earthquake Trivia Quiz: From General Knowledge to Fun Facts (21–30)
What is the best way to act if an earthquake occurs while you are walking outdoors?
- Stay as far away as possible from block walls and buildings.
- Take shelter near block walls or buildings.
- Just run away anyway.
See the answer
Stay as far away as possible from block walls and buildings.
During an earthquake, it is important to ensure your safety by staying away from utility poles, block walls, and buildings when outdoors, and by watching out for falling glass and signs. Be cautious of landslides near cliffs and of tsunamis near the coast. The middle of the road and areas close to buildings may be dangerous.
Which earthquake led to the establishment of Disaster Prevention Day on September 1?
- Great Kanto Earthquake
- Showa Nankai Earthquake
- Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake
See the answer
Great Kanto Earthquake
Disaster Prevention Day on September 1 was established in response to the Great Kanto Earthquake that occurred on this day in 1923. Centered around Tokyo and Yokohama, the earthquake caused extensive damage, including fires and building collapses, and served as a turning point that made many people keenly aware of the importance of disaster preparedness.
Which earthquake led to the term “aftershock” being used less frequently?
- Great East Japan Earthquake
- Kumamoto Earthquake
- Noto Peninsula Earthquake
See the answer
Kumamoto Earthquake
Many people may have the impression that aftershocks are earthquakes smaller in scale than the main shock. However, during the Kumamoto earthquakes, a quake with seismic intensity 7 was followed by an even larger earthquake. In response, the Japan Meteorological Agency refrained from using the term “aftershock” and began issuing information using expressions such as “earthquakes of similar magnitude” or wording that clearly states the seismic intensity.
What kind of earthquake is the Nankai Trough earthquake considered to be?
- trench-type earthquake
- fault-type earthquake
- volcanic earthquake
See the answer
trench-type earthquake
The Nankai Trough earthquake is called a trench-type earthquake and, because it occurs at the boundary between tectonic plates, it is also known as a plate-boundary earthquake. Around Japan, multiple plates such as the Pacific Plate and the Philippine Sea Plate collide, so this type of earthquake occurs frequently.
What do you call the state in which a displacement has occurred in the ground?
- cross section
- fault
- stratum
See the answer
fault
A state in which the ground has shifted is called a fault. When this shift occurs suddenly, a large earthquake can happen. Earthquakes often occur when underground faults slip, and faults that appear at the surface are sometimes called active faults; these can also be found under the sea.
In which era did the oldest recorded earthquake in Japan occur?
- Asuka period
- Heian period
- Kamakura period
See the answer
Asuka period
The oldest earthquake recorded in Japan is the Hakuchi Earthquake of 684, documented in the Nihon Shoki, which corresponds to the Asuka period. It is said that the damage at the time was also described in detail. This earthquake was a massive one that occurred on the 14th day of the 10th month in the 13th year of Emperor Tenmu, in the late Asuka period.
Which is the largest fault in Japan?
- Itoigawa–Shizuoka Tectonic Line fault zone
- Median Tectonic Line
- Arima–Takatsuki Fault Zone
See the answer
Median Tectonic Line
The largest fault in Japan is the Median Tectonic Line. It is said to be an ancient fault that is still active today, forming an active fault zone whose onshore segment alone extends over about 1,000 km. This is considered the longest and one of the largest fault zones in Japan, and it is also said to have the potential to cause a major earthquake in the future.