Volcanoes, Earthquakes, and Mountain Ranges

Flashcards about key vocabulary and concepts discussed in the lesson about volcanoes, earthquakes, and mountain ranges.

Active Volcano

A volcano with accounts of eruption documented within 10,000 years

Continent

A big body of land on the globe

Earthquake

A vibration of Earth due to the rapid release of energy

Epicenter

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

Focus

The exact site of the origin of an earthquake, below the epicenter

Magma

The liquid rock below the Earth's surface

Mountain

A landmass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill

Mountain Range

A chain of mountains

Seismic Waves

Earthquake waves

Primary Waves

The first type of seismic wave to be recorded in a seismic station, these compression waves are the fastest and travel through solids, liquids, and gases

Secondary Wave

The second type of earthquake wave to be recorded in a seismic station; these shearing waves are stronger than P-waves, but only move through solids

Seismograph

The graphical record of an earthquake

Seismograph

A measuring instrument for detecting and measuring the intensity and direction and duration of movements of an earthquake

Tsunami

A Japanese term for “big wave in the port;” generated during undersea quakes

Volcano

A mountain or hill, typically conical, having a crater or vent through which lava, rock fragments, hot vapor and gas is being or have been erupted from the earth's crust

Lithosphere

Composed of the crust and the upper mantle, said to be in constant but very slow motion

Plates

The entire lithosphere of the Earth is broken into numerous segments

Pacific Ring of Fire

A ring of volcanoes and other tectonically active structures that surround the Pacific Ocean. One of the most geologically active areas on Earth and a site for frequent earthquakes and powerful volcanic eruptions.