earthquake/volcano vocabulary Flashcards
fault
a break in the continuity of a body of rock or of a vein, with dislocation along the plane of the fracture
ring of fire
an area in the basin of the Pacific Ocean where a large number of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur.
transform / strike-slip
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divergent / normal
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convergent / reverse
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P-waves
A earthquake wave that travels through the interior of the earth and is usually the first conspicuous wave to be recorded by a seismograph.
S-waves
a seismic body wave that shakes the ground back and forth perpendicular to the direction the wave is moving
epicenter
the point on the earth’s surface vertically above the focus of an earthquake.
focus
the point of origin of an earthquake.
Richter scale
a numerical scale for expressing the magnitude of an earthquake on the basis of seismograph oscillations
explosive volcano
a volcanic term to describe a violent, explosive type of eruption
nonexplosive volcano
tending to explode
Krakatoa
a volcano and small island in Indonesia, between Java and Sumatra: violent eruption 1883.
Yellowstone supervolcano
the volcanic caldera and supervolcano located in Yellowstone National Park in the United States, sometimes referred to as the Yellowstone Supervolcano
San Andreas fault
a continental transform fault that extends roughly 1300 km through California.
Mid-oceanic ridge
an underwater mountain range, formed by plate tectonics.
shield volcano
a broad, domed volcano with gently sloping sides, characteristic of the eruption of fluid, basaltic lava.
cinder cone volcano
A steep, conical hill consisting of glassy volcanic fragments that accumulate around and downwind from a volcanic vent.
composite volcano
a conical volcano built up by many layers (strata) of hardened lava, tephra, pumice, and volcanic ash.
hot spot
a small area or region with a relatively hot temperature in comparison to its surroundings.
