1) what is an "earthquake"? what hazards to they pose to humans? describe the global distribution of earthquakes (a map may be useful here)? how is this distribution pattern related to plate boundaries - both types and locations? make sure you give some examples here.
2) what and how do geologists study earthquakes? what is the magnitude of an earthquake? what are "seismic waves"? what are the major types of seismic waves?
3) what is the "epicenter" and the focus ("foci" is plural) of an earthquake? how can we locate an epicenter? define "seismic waves" and why they are important to understanding earthquakes?
3) what are the major hazards from an earthquake? can geologists forecast earthquakes? explain.
4) what is a "tsunami"? besides earthquakes what other geological events can cause tsunamis? compare the 2004 sumatran (indonesia) earthquake and tsunami to the 2011 honshu (japan) earthquake and tsunami.
5) have you ever been in an earthquake? when and where? what was your experience like?
6) how do we know what the interior of earth is like since we have never been there (except in describe what it is like inside earth.
7) define geologic "deformation"? the following terms:
folding (anticline, syncline, dome, and basin). how and why do rocks bend?
faulting (major fault types). how and why do rocks break (fracture) ?
8) how do mountains and mountain ranges form? give some specific examples and how they formed - like the sierra nevada, cascades, hawaii, colorado rockies, appalachians, alps, andes, and himalayas - choose just one here. concentrate on the "major" cause of the mountains (volcanism, folding, and faulting) and any plate tectonic activity.