GEO 1.4 Earthquakes

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to earthquakes and their impact on civil engineering.

Seismology

The science that deals with the study of earthquakes and seismic waves.

Focus

The point of origin of the earthquake in the interior of the earth.

Epicentre

The location on the earth's surface directly above the focus of an earthquake.

Anticenter

The point which is diametrically opposite to the epicenter

Seismic Waves

Waves of energy released from the focus of an earthquake that travel through the earth.

Tectonic Earthquakes

Earthquakes caused by disturbances or adjustments in geological formations within the earth's interior.

Non-Tectonic Earthquakes

Earthquakes caused by external or surficial factors, such as volcanic eruptions or meteorite impacts.

P Waves

Primary waves that are the fastest seismic waves, traveling at 8 to 13 km/s.

S Waves

Secondary waves that are slower than P waves, traveling at 5 to 7 km/s.

L Waves

Surface waves that are the slowest seismic waves, traveling at 4 to 5 km/s, confined to the earth's surface.

Richter Scale

A logarithmic scale used to measure the magnitude of an earthquake based on seismic wave amplitudes.

Gutenberg-Richter Formula

Magnitude

The rating of an earthquake based on the total amount of energy released during the event.

Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale

A scale used to measure the intensity of an earthquake based on observed effects and damage.

Isoseismal Line

An imaginary line joining points of the same intensity of an earthquake.

Coseismal Line

An imaginary line joining points where earthquake waves have arrived at the earth's surface.

Earthquake Waves

Vibrations originating from an earthquake focus, propagated in all directions as elastic waves.

Depth of Focus

The depth at which an earthquake originates, influencing the extent of damage.

Ground Acceleration

The rate of change of velocity of ground movement during an earthquake, relevant for determining magnitude.