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earthquakes Flashcards

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1
Q

Seismologists

A

study earthquakes

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2
Q

Seismographs

A

are the machines that measure the magnitude, or strength, of an earthquake.

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3
Q

Focus

A

is the place within the crust where an earthquake occurs.

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4
Q

Epicentre

A

is the area on the surface found directly above the focus. It is where the tremors/shock waves reach the surface first. These tremors/seismic waves decrease with distance from the epicentre.

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5
Q

earthquake

A

An earthquake is the shaking or vibration of the Earth’s crust, usually on or near a plate boundary

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6
Q

what causes an earthquake

A

It is caused by the sudden release of energy along a fault line due to the movement of plates caused by convection currents.

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7
Q

what happens to the plates during an earthquake

A

The plates appear to stick, stress and pressure builds up.
When this pressure is suddenly released as the plates slips, an earthquake happens.

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8
Q

what are seismic waves also known as

A

shock waves

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9
Q

where do shock waves spread out from

A

These spread out from the focus deep with the Earth’s crust.

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10
Q

what is directly above the focus on earth’s crust

A

the epicenter

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11
Q

what are the waves/tremors that occur after the earthquake are known as

A

afterschocks

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12
Q

where do earthquakes occur

A

They occur along divergent, convergent and transform plate boundaries

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13
Q

what are the most dangerous earthquakes are associated with

A

Subduction zones, as one plate is dragged beneath another.

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14
Q

what subduction zone is most deadly

A

The subduction zone off the coast of Japan is the most deadly in the world. e.g. Pacific Ring of Fire

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15
Q

transform plate boundary earthquake example

A

San Andreas Fault

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16
Q

divergent plate boundary earthquake example

A

Mid-Atlantic Ridge, but these are not as frequent or dangerous.

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17
Q

shallow focus

A

focus is found close to the surface [less than 80 km from it]

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18
Q

what is the most common and dangerous type of earthquake

A

Shallow focus

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19
Q

what do shallow focus earthquakes cause

A

They cause great loss of life and destruction.

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20
Q

where do shallow focus earthquakes occur

A

Occur at plate boundaries.

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21
Q

what are shallow earthquakes results of

A

It is a result of a plate sinking and becoming stuck and then suddenly releasing its energy.

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22
Q

Deep Focus

A

are found at much deeper depths [greater than 300 km]

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23
Q

where are deep focus earthquakes often located

A

Often located at subduction zones as one plate moves beneath the other.

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24
Q

where do deep focus earthquakes occur

A

They occur so deep in the Earth’s crust that they rarely cause damage on the surface

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25
Q

what are seismographs sensitive to?

A

movement

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26
Q

what does a seismograph detect

A

detects, measures and records the seismic waves that are released by an earthquake.

27
Q

There are three types of seismic waves recorded

A

Primary or P - Waves
Secondary or S - Waves
Surface Waves

28
Q

Primary or P-waves

A

Fastest waves and the first to be recorded

Travel through molten material

29
Q

Secondary or S-waves

A

Slower-moving waves that travel through rock

The second to arrive

30
Q

what is the Richter scale used for

A

Used to measure the ground movement caused by an earthquake and magnitude or strength

31
Q

when was the Richter scale developed

A

1935

32
Q

by who was the richter scale developed

A

Charles Richter

33
Q

what does The Mercalli scale messure

A

Measures the damage caused by an earthquake

34
Q

why is earthquake prediction important

A

can help prevent loss of life, as people will have enough time to prepare and evacuate.

35
Q

who was the Mercalli scale developed by

A

Giuseppe Mercalli

36
Q

how many points does the mercalli scale have

A

12

37
Q

why is it important to know where the most badly affected areas are

A

so precautions can be put in place in relation to buildings and communication links.

38
Q

how can seismologists predict earthquakes

A

Seismic Gaps
Tiltmeters
Radon Gas
Lasers
Animal Behaviour
Level of Water

39
Q

Seismic Gaps

A

pattern in seismic gaps/length of time between earthquakes in an area

40
Q

Tiltmeters

A

measure any bulging of the land surface

41
Q

Radon Gas

A

the levels increase just before an earthquake

42
Q

Lasers

A

used to monitor vulnerable areas to measure any changed in the ground/rock movement

43
Q

Animal Behaviour

A

unusual animal behaviour is a sign an earthquake is imminent.

44
Q

Level of Water

A

it will rise of stress levels in the crust increase prior to an earthquake.

45
Q

LDCs

A

Less Developed Countries

46
Q

Terrain

A

The Landscape

47
Q

Geology

A

The rock type of an area

48
Q

Factors that determine the damage caused by an earthquake

A

Time of day
Magnitude of the earthquake
Depth of the focus
Distance from the epicentre
Duration of shaking
Population density in the area
Number of earthquake proof buildings
Terrain
Geology of the area
Economic wealth of the region

49
Q

Short-term effects

A

Loss of life
Destruction of buildings and communication links
Landslides and avalanches
Tsunamis
Disruption and damage

50
Q

Long-term effects

A

Outward migration
Disease
Economic slowdown

51
Q

Liquefaction

A

this occurs when unconsolidated material such as sands and gravel mix with water, are shaken vigorously and turned into liquid mud that cannot support structures

52
Q

Outward migration

A

to leave one area/region in order to settle in another. People migrating from earthquake-prone area leads to homelessness of large numbers of people.

53
Q

Disease

A

from exposed corpses and damage utilities, as sewage can leak into water supplies

54
Q

Economic slowdown

A

as shops and industries are damaged.

55
Q

Time of day

A

people still in bed

56
Q

Magnitude of the earthquake

A

the stronger the earthquake the more damage caused

57
Q

Depth of the focus

A

deep focus, less damage
shallow focus more damage

58
Q

Distance from the epicentre

A

the closer the distance the stronger the impact

59
Q

Duration of shaking

A

the longer an area is shaken, the more damage caused

60
Q

Population density in the area

A

more people more deaths

61
Q

Number of earthquake proof buildings

A

more earthquake proof buildings less destruction

62
Q

Terrain

A

if the landscape is inaccessible, it will be difficult to reach people

63
Q

Geology of the area

A

if the area is made up of unconsolidated material, it will not take the impact as well as solid rock

64
Q

Economic wealth of the region

A

ldc’s won’t be prepared for earthquakes

geography (4 decks)

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