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

the point on the surface of the earth directly above the focus of an earthquake

• focus

• energy release center

• surface wave

• epicenter

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

This is the area beneath the Earth's surface where the earthquake begins

• epicenter

• focus

• fault line

• tectonic plate

Answer explanation

The area beneath the Earth's surface where an earthquake begins is referred to as the 'focus'. This is not the 'epicenter', which is the point on the surface above the focus. It's also not the 'fault line' or the 'tectonic plate', which are larger geological structures. So, the correct answer to the question is 'focus'.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS2-1

Vocab Challenge!

Science Cash up for grabs.

Type here, in the chat, or raise your hand.

Use all of these vocabulary words correctly in ONE sentence.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

NGSS.MS-PS4-1

NGSS.MS-PS4-2

Identify Item #4

• Seismic waves

• Fault

• Hypocenter (Focus)

• Epicenter

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-5

Where does an earthquake begin?

• Epicenter

• Fault

• Focus

• Joint

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

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

• epicenter

• focus

• seismogram

• energy release center

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

a scientist who studies earthquakes

• seimology

• seismologist

• seismogram

• seismograph

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2