Vocabulary flashcards: The manifestations of an earthquake (Act.1)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms related to earthquakes from the notes (Theme 1, Chapter 1).

Earthquake

A natural event produced by the sudden release of energy in the Earth's lithosphere, causing ground shaking due to rupture at depth.

Hypocenter (focus)

The point within the Earth where the earthquake rupture begins; located at depth below the surface.

Epicenter

The point on the Earth's surface directly above the hypocenter where shaking is usually strongest.

Aftershocks

Smaller earthquakes that occur after the main shock as the crust settles following the rupture.

Seismic intensity

A qualitative measure of the damage and shaking felt at a location, observed at the surface.

Seismic intensity scale

A system for rating and mapping the observed effects and damage at different locations (e.g., isoseismal distribution).

Magnitude

A quantitative measure of the energy released at the earthquake source, often determined from seismic waves (magnitude scales such as the Richter scale).

Energy released (seismic energy)

The total energy liberated during rupture, propagating as seismic waves and causing ground motion and damage.

Richter scale

An older scale used to estimate an earthquake's magnitude based on wave amplitudes at a distance.

Isoseismal lines

Lines on a map connecting points of equal seismic intensity, used to visualize shaking distribution.

Ground shaking

The actual movement of the ground produced by seismic waves, varying with distance from the epicenter and geological conditions.

Damage

Destruction or harm to infrastructure, buildings, and the environment caused by the earthquake's ground motion.