Parts of An Earthquake

Front

What is an earthquake?

Back

Movement of Earth’s crust due to the release of built-up potential energy between two stuck lithospheric plates.

Front

What are seismic waves?

Back

Vibrations that spread out from the focus in all directions during an earthquake.

Front

What is the epicenter of an earthquake?

Back

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

Front

What is the focus of an earthquake?

Back

The point within the Earth where an earthquake originates.

Front

What causes an earthquake?

Back

The release of stress that has built up along geological faults.

Front

What are the different types of seismic waves?

Back

Primary waves (P-waves), Secondary waves (S-waves), and surface waves.

Front

What is a fault line?

Back

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

Front

What is the Richter scale?

Back

A scale used to measure the magnitude of an earthquake.

Front

What is the difference between the epicenter and the focus?

Back

The epicenter is on the surface, while the focus is the point inside the Earth where the earthquake starts.

Front

What is a tectonic plate?

Back

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