Question

Determine which of the following statements is false.

Options:
a. Convergent collision boundaries produce earthquakes, but convergent subduction boundaries do not.
b. Over 200,000 people died in the Indian Ocean tsunami.
c. The Indian Ocean tsunami was caused by a massive volcanic eruption that displaced 120 million gallons of water.
d. The earthquake in the Indian Ocean in 2004 released more energy than thousands of atomic bombs.

Answer 1

The false statement is that convergent collision boundaries produce earthquakes, but convergent subduction boundaries do not. Both can produce earthquakes; in fact, subduction zones are known for significant seismic activity.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement which is false among the options provided is: 'a. Convergent collision boundaries produce earthquakes, but convergent subduction boundaries do not'. This is incorrect because both convergent collision boundaries and subduction zones are capable of producing earthquakes.

Subduction zones often experience some of the most powerful earthquakes due to the interaction between the subducting slab and the overriding slab. Additionally, the option stating that the Indian Ocean tsunami was caused by a massive volcanic eruption is also inaccurate; it was caused by an earthquake. This earthquake is known to have released a tremendous amount of energy, comparable to that released by thousands of atomic bombs, and resulted in a devastating tsunami that claimed over 200,000 lives in the Indian Ocean region in 2004.