Earthquakes

Front

What is an earthquake?

Back

An earthquake is the shaking of the surface of the Earth resulting from a sudden release of energy in the Earth's lithosphere that creates seismic waves.

Front

What is the Richter Magnitude Scale?

Back

The Richter Magnitude Scale is a logarithmic scale used to measure the magnitude of an earthquake based on the strength of seismic waves recorded by a seismograph.

Front

What is the epicenter of an earthquake?

Back

The epicenter is the point on the Earth's surface directly above where an earthquake originates.

Front

What are P waves?

Back

P waves, or primary waves, are the fastest seismic waves that travel through the Earth and can move through both solid and liquid.

Front

What are S waves?

Back

S waves, or secondary waves, are seismic waves that travel slower than P waves and can only move through solids.

Front

How do seismographs work?

Back

Seismographs are instruments that detect and record the motion of the ground during an earthquake, capturing the seismic waves.

Front

What is triangulation in the context of earthquakes?

Back

Triangulation is a method used to determine the location of an earthquake's epicenter by using data from at least three seismic stations.

Front

What is the difference between magnitude and intensity of an earthquake?

Back

Magnitude measures the energy released at the source of the earthquake, while intensity measures the effects and damage caused by the earthquake at different locations.

Front

What is a fault line?

Back

A fault line is a fracture or zone of fractures between two blocks of rock, which can cause earthquakes when stress builds up and is released.

Front

What is a seismic wave?

Back

Seismic waves are waves of energy that travel through the Earth, generated by the sudden release of energy during an earthquake.