Earthquake Stress, Waves, and Location

Front

What are primary waves (P waves)?

Back

Primary waves (P waves) are the fastest seismic waves that travel through the Earth. They are compressional waves that move in the same direction as the wave, causing particles to move back and forth.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-1

Front

What is a seismogram?

Back

A seismogram is a visual record produced by a seismograph that shows the intensity and duration of seismic waves during an earthquake.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

Front

What is a reverse fault?

Back

A reverse fault is a type of fault where the hanging wall moves up relative to the footwall, typically caused by compressional stress. It often occurs at convergent plate boundaries.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-5

Front

What type of stress is associated with transform plate boundaries?

Back

Shear stress is associated with transform plate boundaries, where two tectonic plates slide past each other.

Front

What is the first seismic wave to arrive at a location during an earthquake?

Back

The first seismic wave to arrive is the P wave (primary wave), which travels faster than other types of seismic waves.

Front

What is the Richter Scale?

Back

The Richter Scale is a logarithmic scale used to measure the magnitude of earthquakes based on the amplitude of seismic waves.

Front

What are secondary waves (S waves)?

Back

Secondary waves (S waves) are seismic waves that arrive after P waves. They are shear waves that move particles perpendicular to the direction of wave travel.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-1

NGSS.MS-PS4-2

Front

What is a normal fault?

Back

A normal fault is a type of fault where the hanging wall moves down relative to the footwall, typically caused by extensional stress.

Front

What is a strike-slip fault?

Back

A strike-slip fault is a type of fault where two tectonic plates slide past each other horizontally, often associated with transform boundaries.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-5

NGSS.HS-ESS2-1

Front

What is the focus of an earthquake?

Back

The focus of an earthquake is the point within the Earth where the earthquake originates, and seismic waves radiate outward from this point.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2