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 activity.

Front

What are P-waves?

Back

P-waves, or primary waves, are the fastest type of seismic wave and 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 an aftershock?

Back

An aftershock is a smaller earthquake that follows a larger earthquake, occurring in the same area.

Front

What is the Richter scale?

Back

The Richter scale is a logarithmic scale used to measure the magnitude of an earthquake based on the amplitude of seismic waves.

Front

What is the Mercalli scale?

Back

The Mercalli scale measures the intensity of an earthquake based on its effects and the damage it causes, rather than its magnitude.

Front

How much more powerful is a magnitude 8 earthquake compared to a magnitude 6 earthquake?

Back

A magnitude 8 earthquake is 100 times more powerful than a magnitude 6 earthquake.

Front

What is liquefaction?

Back

Liquefaction is a phenomenon where saturated soil loses its strength and stiffness in response to an applied stress, often during an earthquake.