eK.4 Identify supporting evidence in a text NFD
Select the best evidence to support the statement "There has been a large increase in the
number of earthquakes since the 1970s." There may be more than one correct choice.
Within the central and eastern United States, the number of earthquakes has
changed dramatically over the past few years. Between the years 1973-2008, there
was an average of twenty-one earthquakes of magnitude three and larger in the
central and eastern United States. This rate jumped to an average of ninety-nine
magnitude three or larger earthquakes per year in 2009-2013, and the rate
continues to rise. In 2014, alone, there were 659 magnitude three and larger
earthquakes. Most of these earthquakes are in the magnitude 3-4 range, large
enough to have been felt by many people, yet small enough to rarely cause
damage.
The change in the number of earthquakes prompts two important questions: first,
are the earthquakes natural or manmade? Second, what should be done in the
future as we address the causes and consequences of these events to reduce
associated risks?
Adapted from United States Geological Survey, "Induced Earthquakes"
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