20+ Earthquake MCQs – General Science – for Upcoming Exams in 2026
1. According to NASA.gov, an earthquake is defined as _____.
Correct Answer: B. An intense shaking of Earth’s surface
Explanation: An earthquake means a sudden and intense shaking of the Earth’s surface caused by the rapid release of energy within the Earth.
2. There are ____ commonly identified major causes of earthquakes.
Correct Answer: A. Five
Explanation: Major causes of earthquakes are the main natural or human-related factors responsible for producing seismic vibrations, and five such causes are identified.
3. The first major cause of earthquakes is _____.
Correct Answer: C. Elastic Rebound Theory
Explanation: Elastic Rebound Theory explains earthquakes as the sudden release of stored energy in rocks when stress exceeds their strength.
4. Elastic Rebound Theory was proposed by ___________.
Correct Answer: D. Henry Fielding Reid
Explanation: Elastic Rebound Theory was proposed by Henry Fielding Reid to explain earthquakes caused by stress accumulation and sudden release along faults.
5. The second major cause of earthquakes is:
Correct Answer: B. Plate Tectonics Theory
Explanation: Plate Tectonics Theory explains earthquakes through the movement and collision of large plates of the Earth’s crust.
6. A fracture or zone of fractures between two blocks of rocks on Earth’s surface is called _____.
Correct Answer: A. Fault
Explanation: A fault is a break or crack in the Earth’s crust along which rocks move, commonly producing earthquakes.
7. The third major cause of earthquakes is ______.
Correct Answer: C. Volcanic Activity
Explanation: Volcanic activity involves the movement of magma and gases beneath the Earth’s surface, which can trigger earthquakes.
8. Iso-Static balance is the -____.
Correct Answer: B. Balance between Earth’s crust and mantle
Explanation: Iso-static balance refers to the state of equilibrium between the Earth’s crust and the mantle beneath it.
9. The fourth major cause of earthquakes is ______.
Correct Answer: D. Iso-Static Balance
Explanation: Iso-static balance involves crustal adjustment due to erosion or deposition, and its disturbance may cause earthquakes.
10. Other causes of earthquakes include ________.
Correct Answer: C. Dams, land sliding, and atomic bomb explosions
Explanation: Other causes of earthquakes include additional natural or human-induced factors such as dam construction, landslides, and atomic explosions.
11. The location where an earthquake begins is called the ______.
Correct Answer: A. Epicenter
Explanation: Epicenter is the point on the Earth’s surface directly above where an earthquake starts.
12. The point inside the Earth where an earthquake originates is called the ______.
Correct Answer: A. Hypocenter
Explanation: Hypocenter (focus) is the actual point beneath the Earth’s surface where an earthquake originates.
13. Which seismic waves are the fastest and arrive first at a seismic station?
Correct Answer: D. P waves
Explanation: P waves are the fastest seismic waves and are the first to reach a seismic station.
14. Which seismic waves travel only through solids and arrive after P waves?
Correct Answer: C. S waves
Explanation: S waves travel only through solid materials and arrive after P waves.
15. Rayleigh waves are _____.
Correct Answer: A. Surface waves
Explanation: Rayleigh waves are surface seismic waves that move in a rolling motion.
16. Side-to-side horizontal movement occurs in _________.
Correct Answer: C. Love waves
Explanation: Love waves move the ground horizontally from side to side.
17. The scale used to measure the magnitude of an earthquake is the _____.
Correct Answer: C. Richter Scale
Explanation: The Richter Scale measures the magnitude or energy released by an earthquake.
18. The energy from an earthquake travels through the Earth in vibrations called _____.
Correct Answer: D. Seismic waves
Explanation: Seismic waves carry earthquake energy through the Earth.
19. Earthquake is recorded by an instrument called _____.
Correct Answer: C. Seismographs
Explanation: A seismograph records vibrations produced by earthquakes.
20. The recording made by a seismograph is called a _____.
Correct Answer: B. Seismogram
Explanation: A seismogram is the graphical record of ground motion during an earthquake.
21. The size of an earthquake is called its ______.
Correct Answer: D. Magnitude
Explanation: Magnitude is the measurement of the total energy released at the source of an earthquake.
22. The worst earthquake in Pakistan’s history occurred in _____.
Correct Answer: C. 2005
Explanation: The 2005 Kashmir earthquake was the most devastating earthquake in Pakistan’s history.
23. The worst earthquake in world history occurred in _____.
Correct Answer: C. Chile (1960)
Explanation: The 1960 Chile earthquake was the strongest ever recorded, with a magnitude of 9.5.