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 epicenter of an earthquake?

Back

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

Front

What are seismic waves?

Back

Seismic waves are waves of energy that travel through the Earth and are caused by the movement of tectonic plates.

Front

What are P-waves?

Back

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

Front

What are S-waves?

Back

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

Front

What are surface waves?

Back

Surface waves are seismic waves that travel along the Earth's surface and are responsible for most of the damage during an earthquake.

Front

What is the magnitude of an earthquake?

Back

The magnitude is a measure of the amount of energy released during an earthquake, often measured on the Richter scale.

Front

What is a seismogram?

Back

A seismogram is a record produced by a seismograph that shows the motion of the ground during an earthquake.

Front

What is the difference between the focus and the epicenter?

Back

The focus is the point within the Earth where an earthquake originates, while the epicenter is the point directly above it on the surface.

Front

What is a tectonic plate?

Back

Tectonic plates are large sections of the Earth's crust that move and interact with each other, causing earthquakes.