Understanding Earthquakes for Students

Front

Earthquake

Back

shaking of the ground

Front

Epicenter

Back

the center of Earth's surface above the earthquake focus

Front

Seismic Waves

Back

waves of energy from an earthquake

Front

Richter Scale

Back

a measure of the power of an earthquake; higher number means bigger earthquake

Front

Fault

Back

a break in Earth's crust

Front

Aftershock

Back

quakes following the main shock

Front

Tectonic Plates

Back

pieces of Earth's crust

Front

Focus (Hypocenter)

Back

place inside Earth where earthquake starts

Front

Magnitude

Back

a measure of the power of an earthquake

Front

Seismograph

Back

machine that records the force and length of an earthquake