Earthquakes and Tsunamis

Front

What is an earthquake?

Back

A sudden release of stress along faults in the Earth's crust, causing ground shaking.

Front

What are surface waves?

Back

Seismic waves that travel along the Earth's surface, causing the most damage during an earthquake.

Front

What are S waves?

Back

Secondary seismic waves that move the ground up and down or side to side; they can travel through the Earth's interior.

Front

What is compression stress?

Back

A type of stress at convergent boundaries where rocks are squeezed together, causing them to fold or fracture.

Front

What is the Richter scale?

Back

A scale used to measure the strength or magnitude of an earthquake.

Front

What causes tsunamis?

Back

Tsunamis are caused by underwater earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, or landslides that displace large amounts of water.

Front

What is a fault?

Back

A fracture in the Earth's crust along which movement has occurred.

Front

What are P waves?

Back

Primary seismic waves that are the first to arrive during an earthquake; they compress and expand the ground.

Front

What is seismic activity?

Back

The frequency and intensity of earthquakes in a given area.

Front

What is a seismic wave?

Back

Energy waves that travel through the Earth, generated by earthquakes or other geological processes.