Earthquakes

Front

What is the San Andreas Fault?

Back

A famous transform fault located in the western United States that creates significant earthquake activity for California.

Front

What is the epicenter of an earthquake?

Back

The point on the surface directly above the focus.

Front

What allows Earth to be tectonically active?

Back

Earth's solid surface layer sits on a moving, semiliquid layer.

Front

What do S (secondary) waves do during an earthquake?

Back

They shake the ground.

Front

What type of plate boundary is associated with divergent earthquakes?

Back

Divergent boundaries.

Front

What are P (primary) waves?

Back

The fastest seismic waves that compress and expand the ground.

Front

What is the focus of an earthquake?

Back

The point within the Earth where an earthquake originates.

Front

What is a tectonic plate?

Back

A massive, irregularly shaped slab of solid rock that makes up the Earth's lithosphere.

Front

What is the difference between a transform fault and a divergent boundary?

Back

A transform fault is where two plates slide past each other, while a divergent boundary is where two plates move apart.

Front

What is seismic activity?

Back

The frequency, type, and size of earthquakes that occur over a period of time in a certain area.