practice exam questions

Question 1

What is the elastic rebound theory? How and why was it established? How does it relate to the double-couple model (hint - think about fault plane solutions) of earthquakes?

Answer 1

• Elastic rebound theory-gradual stress and strain, eventually leads up to a large shift.
• Created from rock records and samples
• A double-couple model- in an elastic body fault slip causes a 4 quadrant pattern of compressional waves. *Compressional quadrants result in up motions, dilatational quadrants result in down motions.

Question 2

Describe Earth’s most important interior layers and how each has been determined. Specify criteria/features important to each layer (and the boundary between each layer, if appropriate).

Answer 2

crust-rigid and brittle. Slow seismic velocities.
upper mantle
transition zone-a major seismic velocity discontinuity
lower mantle-seismic velocities are the fastest
CMB
Outer Core-A prominent LVZ in the earth. liquid. Swaves do not travel through.
Inner core-solid waves travel faster than they do through the outer core.