FOSS Science Resources Waves Seismic Waves Study Guide

Seismic Waves Study Guide by Period 2 Group 6

How are waves used to pinpoint the center of an earthquake?

Waves are used to pinpoint the center of an earthquake by using the time between the arrival of an s-wave and a p-wave to determine the distance from the seismograph and the earthquake's origin.

How would you use a seismograph to look at what is hidden in Earth?

You can use a seismograph to look at what's hidden beneath the earth by detecting seismic waves using tools like a seismograph, and because seismic waves bend upon going through different earth medium scientists can infer what different types of medium are in the earth

What are P-waves?

P-waves, or primary waves, are compression waves that move left to right and travel quickly through solids and liquids.

What are S-waves?

S-waves, or secondary waves, are transverse waves that move up and down through the rock like a metal spring. These waves are slower and can only travel through solids.

What is a seismic wave, and how are they recorded?

A seismic wave is a mechanical wave that travels through solid rock, and is usually too small to feel. Seismographs are instruments that can detect and record seismic waves.

What wave(s) do earthquakes create?

p and s waves (both are seismic waves)

What does a seismograph do?

Records the arrival of p and s waves, uses the time between arrival of the p wave and s wave to calculate the distance between the seismograph and the earthquakes origin

How many seismographs does it take to locate where an earthquake is from?

3 or more

What type of waves are earth quake waves?

Mechanical waves; primary waves (p-waves), secondary waves (s-waves)

How did scientists know that the core of the earth is liquid?

S waves can't travel through liquid and will not be detected if they do so, people concluded that because s waves couldn't be detected when they went through the earth the core was liquid

What waves can be directed from the other side of the earth when a big earthquake happens and which cannot?

P waves can be directed but they slow down as they travel through earth, s waves cannot be directed (cannot travel through liquid)

What do scientists use to infer the composition of different layers within earth?

Refraction, seismic waves bend when they pass through one material to another so scientists can infer what the different layers are

What can seismic waves be used for other than earthquakes and inferring the layers of the earth?

Seismic mapping is used to look for oil and gas deposits

How does Seismic mapping work?

Seismologists create a tiny earthquake to get the data they need

What is the Richter scale used for?

The Richter scale is used to rate the magnitude of an earthquake.