To help aspirants strengthen their preparation, we have compiled a set of 20 high-quality MCQs on Earthquakes, designed to test both fundamental and conceptual understanding. These questions cover important topics such as the focus and epicenter of earthquakes, the Ring of Fire, types of seismic waves, earthquake-prone regions, and instruments used to measure earthquakes.
NDA & CDS 1 2026 Exam GK – Geography MCQ – Class 2
1. What is the point inside the Earth where an earthquake originates?
A. Epicenter
B. Focus
C. Crust
D. Fault
Answer: B. Focus
2. The point on the Earth’s surface directly above the focus is called the—
A. Fault
B. Seismic gap
C. Epicenter
D. Rift zone
Answer: C. Epicenter
3. Which instrument is used to measure earthquake waves?
A. Barometer
B. Seismograph
C. Hygrometer
D. Altimeter
Answer: B. Seismograph
4. The scale used to measure the magnitude of an earthquake is—
A. Beaufort Scale
B. Mohs Scale
C. Richter Scale
D. Kelvin Scale
Answer: C. Richter Scale
5. Which scale measures the intensity and damage caused by an earthquake?
A. Mercalli Scale
B. Richter Scale
C. Pascal Scale
D. Celsius Scale
Answer: A. Mercalli Scale
6. Earthquakes are most commonly caused by—
A. Volcanoes
B. Tectonic plate movements
C. Landslides
D. Underground rivers
Answer: B. Tectonic plate movements
7. The boundary where two tectonic plates slide past each other is called—
A. Divergent boundary
B. Convergent boundary
C. Transform boundary
D. Fold boundary
Answer: C. Transform boundary
8. The Ring of Fire is located around the—
A. Indian Ocean
B. Atlantic Ocean
C. Pacific Ocean
D. Arctic Ocean
Answer: C. Pacific Ocean
9. Earthquake waves that travel through the Earth’s interior are called—
A. Surface waves
B. Body waves
C. Tsunami waves
D. Tidal waves
Answer: B. Body waves
10. Which seismic waves are the fastest?
A. S-waves
B. P-waves
C. L-waves
D. R-waves
Answer: B. P-waves
11. Which seismic waves cannot travel through liquids?
A. P-waves
B. S-waves
C. Surface waves
D. T-waves
Answer: B. S-waves
12. A tsunami is usually caused by—
A. Surface wind
B. River flooding
C. Undersea earthquakes
D. Glacier melting
Answer: C. Undersea earthquakes
13. Which Indian state experienced the devastating Bhuj earthquake in 2001?
A. Rajasthan
B. Gujarat
C. Maharashtra
D. Punjab
Answer: B. Gujarat
14. What is a fault?
A. Type of wave
B. Crack in the Earth’s crust
C. Layer of the atmosphere
D. Type of volcano
Answer: B. Crack in the Earth’s crust
15. The intensity of an earthquake decreases as—
A. Distance from the epicenter increases
B. Temperature increases
C. Altitude increases
D. Pressure decreases
Answer: A. Distance from the epicenter increases
16. Earthquake waves recorded on a seismograph are called—
A. Aftershocks
B. Tremors
C. Seismograms
D. Shocks
Answer: C. Seismograms
17. Aftershocks occur—
A. Before the main earthquake
B. At the same time as the main earthquake
C. After the main earthquake
D. Only in volcanic zones
Answer: C. After the main earthquake
18. Which of the following regions in India is highly prone to earthquakes?
A. Indo-Gangetic Plains
B. Western Ghats
C. Himalayas
D. Deccan Plateau
Answer: C. Himalayas
19. The movement of plates is caused by—
A. Wind currents
B. Radioactive decay
C. Convection currents in the mantle
D. Ocean currents
Answer: C. Convection currents in the mantle
20. The sudden release of energy during an earthquake generates—
A. Seismic waves
B. Solar waves
C. Magnetic waves
D. Radio waves
Answer: A. Seismic waves
