Front

What are earthquakes?

Back

Earthquakes are vibrations produced when rocks break due to great force.

Front

What is the Richter magnitude scale?

Back

A numerical rating system that measures the energy or magnitude of the largest seismic waves produced by an earthquake.

Front

What is the Moment magnitude scale?

Back

A rating scale that measures the energy released by an earthquake, considering the size of the fault, the motion along the fault, and the strength of the rocks.

Front

What is the Modified Mercalli scale?

Back

A rating scale that measures earthquake intensity based on descriptions of the earthquake's effects on people and structures.

Front

What is a drought?

Back

A period of below-average precipitation.

Front

What causes earthquakes?

Back

Earthquakes are caused by the movement of tectonic plates and the release of stress accumulated in the Earth's crust.

Front

What is a fault?

Back

A fault is a fracture in the Earth's crust along which movement has occurred.

Front

What is liquefaction?

Back

Liquefaction is a process where saturated soil substantially loses strength and stiffness in response to an applied stress, often during an earthquake.

Front

What is a tsunami?

Back

A tsunami is a series of ocean waves caused by any large and sudden disturbance of the sea, often due to underwater earthquakes.

Front

What is the difference between magnitude and intensity?

Back

Magnitude measures the energy released at the source of the earthquake, while intensity measures the effects of the earthquake at different locations.