MAP Science 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The New Madrid Seismic Zone in southeastern Missouri is best known for producing which natural hazard?
- Volcanic eruptions
- Tsunamis
- Earthquakes (Correct answer)
- Hurricanes
Correct answer: Earthquakes
The New Madrid Seismic Zone produced major earthquakes in 1811–1812 and remains seismically active.
Question 2: Many caves in Missouri's Ozarks formed mainly through which process?
- Volcanic activity melting rock
- Wind erosion carving cliffs
- Glaciers scraping the bedrock
- Slightly acidic groundwater dissolving limestone (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Slightly acidic groundwater dissolving limestone
Carbonic acid in groundwater dissolves limestone and dolomite, forming caves and karst features.
Question 3: Why does the United States experience summer when the Northern Hemisphere is tilted toward the Sun?
- Earth is closest to the Sun at that time
- Sunlight strikes more directly and days are longer (Correct answer)
- The Sun gives off more energy in summer
- The Moon blocks less sunlight
Correct answer: Sunlight strikes more directly and days are longer
Axial tilt causes more direct sunlight and longer daylight hours, warming the hemisphere tilted toward the Sun.
Question 4: Which type of rock forms when sediments are compacted and cemented together?
- Sedimentary (Correct answer)
- Igneous
- Metamorphic
- Volcanic glass
Correct answer: Sedimentary
Sedimentary rocks like limestone and sandstone form from compacted, cemented sediments.
Question 5: A cold front moves into Missouri in spring, meeting warm, moist air. What weather is most likely?
- Clear, calm skies for several days
- Light fog only
- Thunderstorms and possible severe weather (Correct answer)
- Steady snowfall
Correct answer: Thunderstorms and possible severe weather
Cold air forces warm, moist air upward rapidly, producing thunderstorms and sometimes tornadoes.
Question 6: What causes the phases of the Moon as seen from Earth?
- Earth's shadow covering the Moon
- Clouds blocking parts of the Moon
- The Moon changing its shape
- The changing view of the Moon's sunlit half as it orbits Earth (Correct answer)
Correct answer: The changing view of the Moon's sunlit half as it orbits Earth
As the Moon orbits, we see different portions of its sunlit half, creating phases.
Question 7: Which human activity most directly increases atmospheric carbon dioxide levels?
- Planting trees
- Burning fossil fuels (Correct answer)
- Using solar panels
- Recycling aluminum
Correct answer: Burning fossil fuels
Burning coal, oil, and natural gas releases stored carbon as carbon dioxide.
MAP Science 4
The New Madrid Seismic Zone in southeastern Missouri is best known for producing which natural hazard?