Fast and Curious: Natural Hazards (7th)

Front

Richter magnitude scale

Back

A numerical rating system that measures the energy, or magnitude, of the largest seismic waves produced by an earthquake.

Front

Moment magnitude scale

Back

A rating scale that measures the energy released by an earthquake, taking into account the size of the fault that breaks, the motion that occurs along the fault, and the strength of the rocks that break during an earthquake.

Front

Liquefaction

Back

The conversion of soil into a fluidlike mass during an earthquake or other seismic event.

Front

Drought

Back

A period of below-average precipitation.

Front

Tsunami

Back

A wave that forms when an ocean disturbance suddenly moves a large volume of water.

Front

Seismic waves

Back

Waves of energy that travel through the Earth, typically caused by earthquakes.

Front

Earthquake

Back

A sudden shaking of the ground caused by the movement of tectonic plates.

Front

Tectonic plates

Back

Large sections of the Earth's crust that move and interact with each other, causing earthquakes.

Front

Epicenter

Back

The point on the Earth's surface directly above the focus of an earthquake.

Front

Focus (hypocenter)

Back

The point within the Earth where an earthquake originates.