Module 6 - Earthquakes and Earth's Interior

A collection of vocabulary flashcards related to earthquakes, seismic activity, and the Earth's interior.

Earthquake

The shaking of the Earth's surface due to the sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust.

Hypocenter

The exact point within the Earth where an earthquake originates.

Epicenter

The point on the Earth's surface directly above the hypocenter.

Elastic rebound

The process where rocks deform under stress, store energy, then suddenly return to their original shape when the stress is released.

Offset

The displacement of rock layers along a fault during an earthquake.

Fault creep

The slow, gradual displacement along a fault without noticeable earthquakes.

Convergent boundaries

Areas where tectonic plates collide, generating compressional forces.

Subduction zone

Regions where one tectonic plate moves under another, typically creating reverse faults.

Seismology

The scientific study of earthquakes and seismic waves.

Seismometer

An instrument that detects and records ground motion caused by seismic waves.

Seismogram

The recorded data from a seismometer, showing the amplitude and frequency of seismic waves.

Body waves

Seismic waves that travel through the interior of the Earth.

Primary waves (P-waves)

Fastest, compressional waves that can travel through solids, liquids, and gases.

Secondary waves (S-waves)

Slower, shear waves that only travel through solids.

Love waves

Surface seismic waves that move side to side.

Rayleigh waves

Surface seismic waves that move in a rolling motion and are generally more damaging.

Liquefaction

Occurs when saturated, unconsolidated sediments lose their strength during shaking, causing buildings to sink.

Tsunami

Large ocean waves generated by the displacement of the seafloor due to a megathrust earthquake.

Crust

The outermost layer of the Earth, comprising the continental and oceanic crust.

Mantle

The layer of the Earth comprising 82% of its volume, located beneath the crust.

Core

The innermost layer of the Earth, composed mainly of iron and nickel.

Elastic deformation

Temporary shape change in rocks that occurs under stress.

Ductile deformation

Bending of rocks that occurs under high pressure and temperature.

Brittle deformation

Breaking of rocks that occurs at lower temperatures and pressures.

Orogenesis

The process of mountain building through tectonic forces.

Normal fault

A type of dip-slip fault where the hanging wall moves downwards.

Reverse fault

A fault where the hanging wall moves upwards due to compressional forces.

Thrust fault

A type of reverse fault with a low-angle dip.

Strike-slip fault

A fault where movement is horizontal rather than vertical.