Richter Scale, Moment-Magnitude Scale, Types of Waves, etc.

Richter scale

-measures earthquake magnitude, which is the total amount of energy released by an earthquake at its source
-determined by the largest peak on a seismogram

Moment-Magnitude scale

-measures the magnitude of an earthquake by the seismic energy released, but uses newer technologies to produce a more accurate measurement
-geologists use this type of scale

Body waves

-waves that travel away from an earthquake and into the body of earth, then back to the surface
-P-waves & S-waves

P-waves

-push and pull waves that travel left to right
-faster than S-waves
-vibration is parallel to the travel direction
(slinky)

S-waves

-travel side to side and have a up and down motion
-slower than P-waves
-vibration is up and down

Surface waves

-waves leave the earthquake and stick to the surface
-rolling motion
-causes a lot of alarm
-L-waves

L-waves

-side to side, rolling motion
-causes horizontal shifting of the Earth

Epicenter

where the earthquake occured

What hazards are associated with earthquakes?

-ruptures
-landslides
-structural damage
-bridge failure
-tsunamis
-aftershocks
-fires