5. Earthquakes

Seismic Waves

Seismic Waves

Waves that travel through the Earth, crucial for studying its interior.

Epicenter

The point on the Earth's surface directly above the focus of an earthquake.

Focus

The point where an earthquake originates underground.

P-waves

Primary waves; the fastest type of seismic waves that can travel through solids and liquids.

S-waves

Secondary waves; slower than P-waves and can only travel through solids.

Love Waves

Surface seismic waves that cause horizontal motion.

Rayleigh Waves

Surface waves that move in an elliptical motion and can cause significant damage.

Seismograph

An instrument used to detect and record ground motion during an earthquake.

Richter Scale

A logarithmic scale used to measure the magnitude of earthquakes.

Triangulation Method

A technique used to determine the epicenter of an earthquake by analyzing data from multiple seismograph stations.

Mercalli Scale

A scale that measures the intensity of an earthquake based on its effects on people, structures, and the Earth's surface.

Liquefaction

A phenomenon where saturated soil temporarily loses its strength and stiffness during an earthquake.

Tsunami

Large ocean waves generated by underwater earthquakes.

Ground Displacement

The movement of the ground caused by an earthquake, often creating fault scarps.

Elastic Rebound Theory

Theory explaining how energy is stored in rocks and released during an earthquake.

Foreshocks

Smaller earthquakes that occur in the same place as a larger earthquake.

Aftershocks

Smaller earthquakes that follow the main shock after a larger earthquake.

Magnitude

The amount of energy released by an earthquake.

Fault

A fracture in the Earth's crust allowing rock to slide past one another.

Ground Motion

Movement of the ground during an earthquake detected by instruments.

Preparedness

Actions taken before an earthquake to ensure safety and minimize damage.