Earth and Space

What is a fault in geology?

A fault is a fracture or zone of weakness in the Earth's crust where movement has occurred or may occur again.

What are the two types of blocks in a fault?

The hanging wall (above the fault) and the footwall (below the fault).

Name the different types of faults.

Normal, reverse, thrust, strike-slip, and oblique faults.

What defines active faults?

Active faults have shown evidence of movement within the last 10,000 years.

What is the focus of an earthquake?

The point inside the Earth where the earthquake originates.

What is the epicenter of an earthquake?

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

How is earthquake magnitude measured?

Magnitude is a measure of the energy released at the focus.

How is earthquake intensity measured?

Intensity is a measure of the effects of an earthquake on people and structures.

What are Benioff zones?

Inclined zones of seismic activity that occur at plate boundaries where trenches exist.

What are aftershocks?

Aftershocks are smaller earthquakes that follow a larger earthquake in the same area.

What are foreshocks?

Foreshocks are earthquakes that occur before a larger earthquake in the same location.

What is a tsunami?

A series of large ocean waves caused by an underwater earthquake, landslide, or volcanic eruption.

What conditions create a typhoon?

A typhoon is a tropical storm that occurs over warm ocean waters, fueled by warm, moist air.

What is the Coriolis Effect?

The Coriolis Effect deflects typhoon winds counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere.

What is the Rain Shadow Effect?

The Rain Shadow Effect causes one side of a mountain range to receive less precipitation than the other.

What are Near-Earth Objects (NEOs)?

NEOs include asteroids, comets, and meteoroids.

What happens to asteroids in terms of classification?

Asteroids are classified by composition and location.

What occurs when a meteoroid enters the Earth's atmosphere?

It is called a meteor.

What is a meteorite?

A meteorite is a meteor that survives and hits the ground.