8th Grade Science AIR Test Prep

Front

What is the epicenter of an earthquake?

Back

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

Front

What are P-waves?

Back

Primary waves that are the fastest seismic waves and can travel through solids and liquids.

Front

What are S-waves?

Back

Secondary waves that are slower than P-waves and can only travel through solids.

Front

How do seismic waves travel through the Earth?

Back

Seismic waves travel in all directions from the earthquake's focus, moving through the Earth's layers.

Front

What is a seismograph?

Back

An instrument that measures and records the motion of the ground during an earthquake.

Front

What is the difference between the focus and the epicenter of an earthquake?

Back

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

Front

What is a contour interval?

Back

The difference in elevation between adjacent contour lines on a map.

Front

How do you determine the contour interval from a topographic map?

Back

By subtracting the elevation of one contour line from the elevation of the next contour line.

Front

What is the relationship between distance from an earthquake and the time it takes for seismic waves to arrive?

Back

The farther the distance from the epicenter, the longer it takes for seismic waves to arrive.

Front

What happens to seismic waves as they travel through different materials?

Back

Seismic waves change speed and direction depending on the density and composition of the materials they pass through.