Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM) Practice Exam

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Prepare for the Certified Floodplain Manager exam with comprehensive quizzes featuring multiple-choice questions paired with insights and explanations. Get ready to demonstrate your expertise in floodplain management and advance your professional credentials!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

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What causes a tsunami according to FEMA 480?

  1. A severe tropical storm

  2. Melting polar ice caps

  3. An underwater earthquake or volcano

  4. Overflooding of river basins

The correct answer is: An underwater earthquake or volcano

A tsunami is caused by an underwater earthquake or volcano, which produces large and powerful ocean waves that can create massive destruction along coastlines. While options A, B, and D may all result in water damage, they do not cause the coastline-destroying effects of a tsunami. Severe tropical storms, melting polar ice caps, and overflooding of river basins can all cause flooding in coastal areas, but they do not generate the devastating and often sudden wall of water associated with tsunamis. Additionally, FEMA 480 specifically focuses on natural hazards, making the correct answer most likely related to a natural event.