EARTHQUAKES

Earthquakes and Seismic Waves

-what are seismic waves?

        -seismic waves are vibrations that are similar to sound waves; they travel through earth carrying     energy released by earthquakes

-earthquake- the shaking and trembling that results from the movement of rock beneath earth’s surface

-most earthquakes are too small to notice

-larger earthquakes can crack open the ground, shift mountains, and cause damage

-earthquakes are caused by plate movement

-when rock slips or breaks it causes seismic waves

Types of Seismic Waves

-seismic waves go out in all directions

-focus- the area beneath earth’s surface where rock that was under stress begins to break or move

-focus triggers the earthquakes

-epicenter- the point on the surface directly above the focus

-most earthquakes begin in lithosphere