Part 2 Intro to Earthquakes for Test 2

This set of flashcards covers key concepts related to seismic waves, earthquakes, and the terminology associated with them.

Epicenter

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

Body waves

Seismic waves that travel through the body of the Earth.

Surface waves

Seismic waves that travel along the Earth's surface.

P wave

the fastest seismic wave that compresses and expands the rocks in the direction of propagation. push pull motionThese waves are the first to be detected by seismographs and can travel through solids, liquids, and gases.

S wave

the second seismic wave to arrive, moving rocks up and down and sideways. These waves can only travel through solids. Shear: up and downmotion. They are slower than P waves and cannot travel through liquids or gases.

Love wave

A type of surface wave that moves side to side, causing shear motion. most deadly, higher amplitude, snake-like goes through solids only

Rayleigh wave

A type of surface wave that rolls along the ground, similar to ocean waves. Like a backwards wave, goes through everything

Seismograph

A machine that records the motion of the ground during an earthquake.

Amplitude

The height of a wave above the reference line, representing the energy of seismic waves.

Seismic energy

Energy released during an earthquake that travels in the form of waves.

Focus/Hypocenter

The point inside the Earth where an earthquake originates.

Fault

A crack in the Earth's crust along which movement has occurred. (3 main types that correspond with the types of plate boundaries)

Seismology

The scientific study of earthquakes and seismic waves.

Compressional wave

A wave in which particles of the medium move in the same direction as the wave.

Shear wave

A wave in which particles move perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation.

Lithosphere

The rigid outer layer of the Earth, comprising the crust and upper mantle.

Outer core

The liquid layer of the Earth's core that lies beneath the mantle.

Inner core

The solid, innermost part of the Earth, composed of iron and nickel.

Asthenosphere

Layer of the Earth between the lithosphere and the mesosphere

Geophysicists

Scientists who study the physical processes of the Earth.

Aftershocks

Smaller seismic waves that occur after the main shock of an earthquake.