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 are seismic waves?

Back

Seismic waves are waves of energy that travel through the Earth, and they are produced by earthquakes or other geological processes.

Front

What is the focus of an earthquake?

Back

The focus is the point within the Earth where an earthquake originates.

Front

What is the epicenter of an earthquake?

Back

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

Front

What are P-waves?

Back

P-waves, or primary waves, are the fastest seismic waves that can travel through solids, liquids, and gases.

Front

What are S-waves?

Back

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

Front

What are surface waves?

Back

Surface waves are seismic waves that travel along the Earth's surface and usually cause the most damage during an earthquake.

Front

What is a fault?

Back

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

Front

How do seismic waves travel?

Back

Seismic waves travel outward from the focus of an earthquake in all directions, transferring energy through the Earth.

Front

What is a seismograph?

Back

A seismograph is an instrument that measures and records the motion of the ground during an earthquake.