Earthquakes and Volcanoes Flashcards
What is the focus of an earthquake?
The underground point at which seismic waves start.
What is the epicentre of an earthquake?
The point on the Earth’s surface directly above the focus.
What is the magnitude of an earthquake and what is the scale used to measure such?
It is the strength of the earthquake, its intensity, and it is measured by the Richter Scale.
What affects earthquake magnitude?
The type of soil - if the soil is softer it will shake more intensely.
What are the effects of earthquakes, in long and short term?
Long term: disruption of electricity, gas supply and transportation (bridges and roads destroyed)
Short term: buildings and infrastructures collapse
What areas are more affected by earthquakes?
Those with a denser human concentration and more buildings.
What are the equivalents of divergent and convergent plate margins?
Divergent - constructive
Convergent - destructive
What are convection currents in the Earth’s mantle?
Convection currents in the Earth’s mantle are circular process of magma rising due to heat of the core and then dropping due to coolness of the crust. This process causes many tectonic plates to move.
