What do earthquakes and tsunamis have in common?
a. they only occur on land masses.
b. they only occur in the ocean.
c. they modify earth's surface/
d. they originate on earth's surface.
c. they modify earth's surface.
The correct answer is c. they modify Earth's surface.
Both earthquakes and tsunamis involve the movement and shifting of the Earth's surface. Earthquakes occur when there is a sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust, causing the ground to shake and resulting in a variety of effects such as the creation of fractures and faults, landslides, and elevation changes. Tsunamis, on the other hand, are large ocean waves generated by underwater earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, or submarine landslides. When these events occur, they can cause the ocean floor to move, displacing large amounts of water and generating powerful waves that eventually reach the coastal areas, resulting in significant modifications to the land and devastating consequences.
To determine the correct answer, we need to understand the characteristics of earthquakes and tsunamis.
Earthquakes occur when there is a sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust, causing seismic waves. These waves can cause the ground to shake, resulting in the shaking and displacement of rocks and other materials. Earthquakes can occur both on land and in water.
Tsunamis, on the other hand, are usually generated by underwater earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, or landslides near or under the ocean. When these events occur beneath the ocean, they can displace a large volume of water, generating a series of powerful waves known as tsunamis.
Now let's analyze the given options:
a. They only occur on land masses: This option is incorrect since earthquakes can occur both on land and in the ocean.
b. They only occur in the ocean: This option is incorrect since earthquakes occur both on land and in the ocean, while tsunamis mostly occur in the ocean.
c. They modify Earth's surface: This option is correct for both earthquakes and tsunamis. Both events can cause significant changes to the Earth's surface.
d. They originate on Earth's surface: This option is incorrect. Earthquakes can originate within the Earth's crust, while tsunamis are usually generated by events occurring beneath the ocean's surface.
Therefore, the correct answer is c. They modify Earth's surface.