Earthquake and Volcano Terminology

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Seismic Waves

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Vibrations of energy that flow from the focus of an earthquake

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Body Waves

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Fast moving waves that occur beneath the surface of the earth

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Epicenter

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The point on the earth's surface directly above the focus of an earthquake

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Surface Waves

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Slower destructive waves that occur on the surface of the earth

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Richer Scale

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Measures an earthquake's magnitude

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Seismograph

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Detects, times, and measures the movements of the earth

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Debris Flow

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Occurs when part of a mountain collapses, causing mud and rock fragments to surge down the mountain

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Pyroclastic Flow

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An avalanche-like emission of red-hot dust and gases from a volcanic eruption, killed the people of Pompeii

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Focus

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The beginning point of an earthquake

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Magnitude

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The strength of the seismic waves of an earthquake