Natural Disasters MCQs [USA]: January 8, 2026August 28, 2024 by u930973931_answers 50 min Score: 0 Attempted: 0/50 Subscribe 1. . What is the primary cause of hurricanes? (A) Volcanic eruptions (B) Tornadoes (C) Low-pressure systems over warm ocean waters (D) Earthquakes 2. . Which U.S. state is most commonly associated with tornadoes? (A) California (B) Florida (C) Texas (D) Alaska 3. . What scale is used to measure the intensity of hurricanes? (A) Richter Scale (B) Fujita Scale (C) Saffir-Simpson Scale (D) Beaufort Scale 4. . Which region of the U.S. is most prone to wildfires? (A) The Midwest (B) The Northeast (C) The Pacific Northwest (D) The Southeast 5. . What is a “Tornado Alley”? (A) An area in the Pacific Northwest prone to tornadoes (B) A region in the central United States known for frequent tornadoes (C) A place in the Northeast with high earthquake activity (D) A coastal region affected by hurricanes 6. . Which U.S. state experiences the most earthquakes? (A) California (B) New York (C) Florida (D) Texas 7. . What type of natural disaster is measured using the Richter Scale? (A) Hurricanes (B) Tornadoes (C) Earthquakes (D) Floods 8. . Which U.S. state is known for its frequent volcanic eruptions? (A) Hawaii (B) Texas (C) Pennsylvania (D) Georgia 9. . What phenomenon is a “storm surge” associated with? (A) Earthquakes (B) Tornadoes (C) Hurricanes (D) Wildfires 10. . Which U.S. state was heavily affected by the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens? (A) Washington (B) California (C) Oregon (D) Alaska 11. . What is the main cause of floods in the United States? (A) Tornadoes (B) Heavy rainfall and snowmelt (C) Volcanic eruptions (D) Earthquakes 12. . What does the term “wildfire” refer to? (A) A flood caused by heavy rainfall (B) An uncontrolled fire in forests or grasslands (C) A type of tornado (D) An earthquake-induced fire 13. . Which U.S. state is known for its significant risk of tsunamis? (A) Florida (B) Hawaii (C) Texas (D) New York 14. . What is the primary purpose of a “Tornado Watch”? (A) To warn people of an imminent tornado (B) To alert people that tornado conditions are possible (C) To announce that a tornado has been sighted (D) To provide information on hurricane preparation 15. . Which natural disaster is most likely to occur along the Pacific Ring of Fire? (A) Tornadoes (B) Hurricanes (C) Earthquakes and volcanic eruptions (D) Floods 16. . The “Fujita Scale” measures the intensity of what type of natural disaster? (A) Hurricanes (B) Floods (C) Tornadoes (D) Earthquakes 17. . Which U.S. city experienced a devastating hurricane in 2005, known as Hurricane Katrina? (A) Miami (B) Houston (C) New Orleans (D) Tampa 18. . What is a “pyroclastic flow”? (A) A type of storm surge caused by volcanic eruptions (B) A fast-moving current of hot gas and volcanic matter (C) A type of earthquake-induced wave (D) A wildfire that moves quickly through grasslands 19. . What natural disaster is commonly associated with the formation of a “debris flow”? (A) Earthquakes (B) Volcanic eruptions (C) Heavy rainfall and landslides (D) Tornadoes 20. . What is the primary goal of the National Weather Service (NWS) during a severe weather event? (A) To provide entertainment (B) To issue weather warnings and alerts (C) To predict stock market changes (D) To host public events 21. . Which U.S. state is least likely to experience tornadoes? (A) Oklahoma (B) Nebraska (C) Alaska (D) Kansas 22. . What does a “Flood Watch” indicate? (A) That flooding is occurring and immediate action is needed (B) That flood conditions are possible and people should prepare (C) That a tornado is likely to form (D) That a hurricane is imminent 23. . Which U.S. state has the highest number of active volcanoes? (A) Alaska (B) Oregon (C) California (D) Washington 24. . What is a “seiche”? (A) A type of wildfire (B) A small, temporary flood (C) A standing wave in an enclosed body of water (D) A minor earthquake 25. . Which type of earthquake causes the most damage to buildings and structures? (A) Shallow-focus earthquakes (B) Deep-focus earthquakes (C) Subduction zone earthquakes (D) Transform fault earthquakes 26. . What is the main cause of “flash floods”? (A) Volcanic eruptions (B) Rapid rainfall in a short period (C) Earthquakes (D) Tsunamis 27. . Which U.S. state was hit by a major wildfire known as the “Camp Fire” in 2018? (A) Oregon (B) Washington (C) California (D) Nevada 28. . What is the primary indicator of a tornado forming? (A) A sharp drop in temperature (B) A sudden increase in wind speed and a rotating column of air (C) A rise in ocean temperatures (D) An increase in humidity 29. . Which natural disaster is associated with the term “Epicenter”? (A) Hurricanes (B) Tornadoes (C) Earthquakes (D) Floods 30. . The “Beaufort Scale” is used to measure the strength of which natural disaster? (A) Hurricanes (B) Tornadoes (C) Wildfires (D) Earthquakes 31. . Which U.S. state is known for its “Seismic Gap,” indicating a high risk of future earthquakes? (A) New York (B) Alaska (C) Hawaii (D) Oklahoma 32. . What does the term “Lahar” refer to in volcanic activity? (A) A volcanic ash cloud (B) A lava flow (C) A mudflow or debris flow resulting from volcanic activity (D) A type of volcanic eruption 33. . Which U.S. city is situated on a major fault line known for seismic activity? (A) New York City (B) Chicago (C) San Francisco (D) Miami 34. . What is the primary purpose of “evacuation orders” during a natural disaster? (A) To provide entertainment during the event (B) To instruct residents to leave an area to avoid danger (C) To inform people about local businesses (D) To promote community events 35. . Which U.S. state is least prone to hurricanes? (A) Texas (B) Florida (C) Minnesota (D) Louisiana 36. . What type of disaster is characterized by a sudden release of energy causing ground shaking? (A) Tornado (B) Flood (C) Earthquake (D) Wildfire 37. . What is the main cause of “landslides”? (A) Volcanic eruptions (B) Heavy rainfall and seismic activity (C) Tornadoes (D) Hurricanes 38. . Which natural disaster is measured using the “Saffir-Simpson Scale”? (A) Tornadoes (B) Earthquakes (C) Hurricanes (D) Floods 39. . What type of volcanic eruption is characterized by explosive activity and the ejection of volcanic ash? (A) Effusive eruption (B) Plinian eruption (C) Strombolian eruption (D) Hawaiian eruption 40. . Which U.S. region is most vulnerable to extreme winter storms and blizzards? (A) The Southeast (B) The Great Plains (C) The West Coast (D) The Southwest 41. . What is the primary cause of “tsunamis”? (A) Hurricanes (B) Underwater earthquakes (C) Tornadoes (D) Volcanic eruptions 42. . Which U.S. state is most susceptible to severe winter storms, including heavy snow and ice? (A) California (B) Alaska (C) Texas (D) Florida 43. . What is the primary concern with “storm surges” during hurricanes? (A) High winds (B) Coastal flooding and property damage (C) Tornado formation (D) Earthquake activity 44. . Which natural disaster is typically caused by a combination of strong winds and dry conditions? (A) Flood (B) Hurricane (C) Wildfire (D) Earthquake 45. . What is the term for a small, localized, and rapid flood that occurs within six hours of heavy rainfall? (A) Flash flood (B) River flood (C) Coastal flood (D) Urban flood 46. . Which U.S. region is known for experiencing frequent “ice storms” that cause significant damage to infrastructure? (A) The South (B) The Midwest (C) The West Coast (D) The Northeast 47. . Which U.S. natural disaster is known for creating a “debris avalanche” or “debris flow”? (A) Earthquake (B) Volcanic eruption (C) Flood (D) Tornado 48. . What is the term for a rapid and severe flooding event often triggered by intense rainfall in mountainous regions? (A) Coastal flood (B) River flood (C) Flash flood (D) Lahar 49. . Which U.S. state is known for its high risk of hurricanes, particularly during the Atlantic hurricane season? (A) Texas (B) New York (C) Michigan (D) Arizona 50. . What is the primary purpose of a “disaster preparedness plan”? (A) To provide entertainment during disasters (B) To ensure that individuals and communities are ready to respond effectively to emergencies (C) To promote local businesses (D) To host community events