Monitoring Earthquakes

Front

What is the focus of an earthquake?

Back

The focus of an earthquake is the point inside the Earth where the earthquake originates.

Front

What is a seismogram?

Back

A seismogram is the record of an earthquake's seismic waves produced by a seismograph.

Front

What does a seismograph do?

Back

A seismograph measures and records the vibrations caused by seismic waves during an earthquake.

Front

What causes the drum in a seismograph to vibrate?

Back

The drum vibrates due to the seismic waves generated by an earthquake.

Front

What is the epicenter of an earthquake?

Back

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

Front

What is the relationship between the severity of an earthquake and the height of the lines on a seismograph?

Back

The height of the lines on a seismograph is greater for a more severe earthquake.

Front

Where is the highest risk of earthquakes in the United States?

Back

The highest risk of earthquakes in the United States is along the West Coast, particularly California, not in the Midwest.

Front

What are seismic waves?

Back

Seismic waves are waves of energy that travel through the Earth, generated by earthquakes.

Front

What is the purpose of a seismometer?

Back

A seismometer is an instrument that detects and records the motion of the ground during an earthquake.

Front

What type of waves are recorded by a seismograph?

Back

Seismic waves, including primary (P) waves and secondary (S) waves, are recorded by a seismograph.