Plate Tectonics and Earthquakes

This instrument records the ground movements caused by seismic waves as they move through the Earth.

• focus

• epicenter

• surface waves

• seismometer

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-2

These are the slowest seismic waves that produce the most severe ground movements.

• P waves

• S waves

• Surface waves

The point on the surface directly above the point at which the earthquake occurs.

• Focus

• Epicenter

• Seismic waves

• Surface waves

This scale rates earthquakes based on the size of their seismic waves.

• Mercalli Scale

• Richter Scale

• Moment Magnitude Scale

What order to the 3 types of seismic waves arrive at a seismometer?

• surface waves, P waves, S waves

• P waves, surface waves, S waves

• P waves, S waves, surface waves

• S waves, P waves, surface waves

The breaks in Earth's crust where rocks can move is called

• focus

• fault

• epicenter

• plates

Mountains can form at this plate boundary.

• Convergent

• Divergent

• Transform

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-5

NGSS.HS-ESS2-1

Deep ocean trenches can form at this plate boundary.

• Convergent

• Divergent

• Transform

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Rift valleys can form at this plate boundary.

• Convergent

• Divergent

• Transform

Earthquakes can form at this plate boundary. (Hint: There can be more than 1 answer.)

• Convergent

• Divergent

• Transform