Q13: Earthquakes

Front

What is the epicenter of an earthquake?

Back

The point on the surface directly above the focus of the earthquake.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

Front

What is the focus of an earthquake?

Back

The point below the surface where rock begins to break and the first motion occurs.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

Front

Which type of seismic wave travels fastest?

Back

P waves are the fastest seismic waves and are the first detected by seismic stations.

Front

What happens to the time between P and S waves as the distance from the earthquake increases?

Back

The time between P and S waves increases.

Front

What are S waves?

Back

Secondary waves that are slower than P waves and can only travel through solids.

Front

What are P waves?

Back

Primary waves that are the fastest seismic waves and can travel through solids, liquids, and gases.

Front

What are surface waves?

Back

Seismic waves that travel along the Earth's surface and typically cause the most damage during an earthquake.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-2

Front

What is a seismic station?

Back

A facility equipped to detect and record seismic waves from earthquakes.

Front

What is the Richter scale?

Back

A logarithmic scale used to measure the magnitude of an earthquake.

Front

What is the moment magnitude scale?

Back

A scale that measures the total energy released by an earthquake, providing a more accurate measure than the Richter scale.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2