Science Olympiad Dynamic Planet Practice Test

What percentage of an earthquake's total energy is typically radiated as seismic energy?

1. 50% or more

2. 10% or less

3. 30% to 40%

4. Only 1%

The correct answer is: 10% or less

In the context of earthquakes, it's understood that only a small fraction of the total energy released during an event is radiated as seismic energy. Typically, about 10% or less of an earthquake's total energy is transformed into seismic waves, which are what we feel and measure as ground motion. The vast majority of the energy is dissipated through other processes, such as the friction along fault lines and heat generated within the Earth's crust. This distinction is critical for understanding the dynamics of earthquakes and the energy release process. Higher percentages, such as 30% to 40% or 50% or more, would imply a much more efficient conversion of energy into seismic waves, which is not supported by the geological data we have. The understanding that only a small percentage is converted to seismic energy reflects the inefficiency of the earthquake process in transforming total energy into seismic radiation. Hence, the choice indicating 10% or less aligns well with what is known about the energy budget of seismic events.