Earthquake Vocabulary

vibrations in the earth caused by the sudden release of energy, usually as a result of the movement of rocks along a fault

• earthquake

• epicenter

• focus

• surface waves

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

an earthquake wave that follows the main shock of an earthquake

• earthquake

• S Wave

• aftershock

• P Wave

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

an earthquake wave that travels through the body of the earth rather than on its surface

• surface wave

• body wave

• aftershock

• focus

the location where the rupture of an earthquake begins and energy is released

• epicenter

• focus

• seismogram

• energy release center

a scientist who studies earthquakes

• seimology

• seismologist

• seismogram

• seismograph

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

an instrument that detects, records, and measures the vibrations produced by an earthquake

• seismology

• seismologist

• seismogram

• seismograph

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

the record made by a seismograph; the paper on which earthquake waves are recorded

• seismology

• seismologist

• seismograph

• seismogram

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-1

the primary earthquake wave that travels through the body of the earth; first to reach the seismograph station

• surface wave

• aftershock

• P Wave

• S Wave

the secondary earthquake wave; travels slower and is second to reach the seismograph station

• P Wave

• S Wave

• surface wave

• body wave

earthquake waves that travel on or near the surface of the earth

• aftershock

• S Waves

• body waves

• surface waves

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-2