Earthquakes and Seismology

A collection of vocabulary flashcards focused on earthquakes, their types, and the study of seismology.

Tectonic Earthquake

An earthquake that occurs when the plates of Earth move along breaks or cracks in Earth's crust, called faults.

Volcanic Earthquake

An earthquake generated by rising lava or magma beneath active volcanoes.

Circum-Pacific Belt

Also known as the Pacific Ring of Fire, an area where most earthquake activities are concentrated, bordering the Pacific Plate.

Seismology

The branch of science that deals with the study of earthquakes.

Seismologist

A scientist who studies earthquakes.

Seismograph

An instrument used to detect the occurrence of earthquakes, composed of a seismometer and a recorder.

Seismogram

The record of an earthquake.

Magnitude

The energy released by an earthquake from its focus.

Intensity

The degree of shaking of Earth at any given place.

Rossi-Forel Scale

A scale used to indicate an earthquake's intensity.

Richter Magnitude Scale

A scale used to describe the magnitude or the amount of energy released by an earthquake.

7.2-Magnitude Earthquake

An earthquake that struck Central Visayas, Philippines on October 15, 2013, causing extensive damage and casualties.