Big Russian earthquake has smaller impact
Aug. 04, 2025
Q: No casualties were reported after the sixth-largest earthquake ever recorded struck last week near Russia’s sparsely populated Kamchatka peninsula. The tremor triggered tsunami warnings and evacuations around the Pacific Ocean, but the only significant damage from high waves was on the peninsula and nearby islands. Where is the Kamchatka Peninsula on the Pacific Ring of Fire?
Circle the area on this map
Q: About 90 percent of the world’s earthquakes and most of its active volcanoes are on what is known as the Pacific Ring of Fire. Last week’s Kamchatka earthquake had a magnitude of 8.8. Scientists have been recording earthquakes for about 130 years. Where did the strongest ever recorded earthquake occur?
A. Chile
B. Indonesia
C. Japan
D. United States
Q: After last week’s earthquake, two volcanoes on the Kamchatka Peninsula erupted, including one which had not exploded in at least 400 years. Which country has had the most active volcanoes over the last 75 years?
A. Chile
B. Indonesia
C. Japan
D. United States
Q: What factor is most important in determining the danger of an earthquake or volcanic eruption?
A. Location
B. Strength
C. Timing
Q: Earthquakes and volcanoes are closely tied to the slow movement of tectonic plates, giant irregular slabs of rock that float on the Earth’s molten mantle and form the planet's surface. Which type of tectonic plate is heavier, the land we live on or the floor of the ocean?
A. Land
B. Ocean
Answers for this quiz: Click here