Science earthquakes Flashcards
What are the 3 types of waves
Primary Waves
Secondary Waves
Surface Waves
Primary waves
The fastest of all the seismic waves. They are able to travel through both solid & liquid rock within the Earth’s interior.
secondary waves
These can only pass through semi-solid rock within the Earth’s interior.
Surface waves
Slowest of the three waves. Since these occur along the surface, surface waves are the most destructive seismic waves.
Richter Scale
Measures the magnitude of the earthquake. Each increase represents an Earthquake 10x stronger than the prior number.
Focus
The point UNDERGROUND where the energy is released.
Epicenter
The point on the SURFACE directly above the focus
Normal Fault
Tensional forces pull rocks apart.
The hanging wall moves down along the fault, while the footwall moves up.
reverse fault
Reverse faults form from compression forces that squeeze rock.
The hanging wall moves upward along the fault, while the footwall moves down.
Strike-slip
Strike-Slip Faults move past each other without much upward or downward movement. This is known as shearing.The hanging wall and the footwall move past each other.
Seismology
The study of Earthquakes and Seismic waves that move around the Earth.
foot wall
Rock located below the fault plane
hanging wall
Rock located above the fault plane
Fault Scarp
A small step caused by the movement of rock
Fault Plane
The area between plates that a slip takes place during an earthquake
Fault Line
The visible part of the fault on the surface of the earth
