Understanding Earthquakes

Identify what is being described by the following statements. Smaller earthquakes follow the main shock and originate close to its focus.

• Aftershocks

• Epicenter

• Seismic

• Tsunami

• Ground movement

The point inside the Earth where an earthquake rupture starts and seismic waves originate.

• Aftershocks

• Epicenter

• Seismic

• Focus

• Ground movement

Relating to or caused by an earthquake or earth vibration.

• Aftershocks

• Epicenter

• Seismic

• Tsunami

• Ground movement

A series of ocean waves with extremely long wavelengths caused by large-scale disturbances such as underwater earthquakes.

• Aftershocks

• Epicenter

• Seismic

• Tsunami

• Ground movement

The amount of movement or shift of the Earth's surface caused by the force of an earthquake.

• Aftershocks

• Epicenter

• Seismic

• Tsunami

• Ground movement

Identify what is being described by the following statements. The resistance encountered when one surface or object moves over another, affects the movement along faults.

• Friction

• Tension

• Compression

• Shear

• Stress

Large, rigid pieces of the Earth's lithosphere that move and interact at their boundaries, cause seismic activity.

• Plates

• Faults

• Waves

• Tremors

• Shocks

A fracture in the Earth's crust where blocks of land move past each other, causing earthquakes.

• Fault

• Plate

• Wave

• Tremor

• Shock

The movement of rock, earth, or debris down a slope, can be triggered by the shaking of an earthquake.

• Landslide

• Tsunami

• Aftershock

• Seismic wave

• Fault

A small or minor ground shaking often precedes or follows a larger earthquake.

• Tremor

• Aftershock

• Seismic wave

• Shock

• Fault