Which of the following is NOT listed as an earthquake hazard?

• A. Ground shaking
• B. Aftershocks
• C. Elevation changes
• D. Lava flows

Answer: (D)

Earthquake hazards come from how the ground and surrounding environment react to the shaking and crustal movement produced by an earthquake. Ground shaking is the central hazard because it directly damages structures and infrastructure. Aftershocks are additional earthquakes that follow the main event, adding to ongoing risk. Elevation changes arise when faults slip and the ground uplifts or subsides, creating vertical displacement that can transform landscapes and affect buildings. Lava flows, however, come from volcanic activity—magma erupting and moving on the surface. They aren’t caused by the earthquake’s shaking in the same way, and in standard hazard assessments lava flows are categorized as volcanic hazards rather than earthquake hazards.