Earthquakes and Structure Design (BSIP)

Front

What is an earthquake?

Back

An earthquake is the shaking of the Earth's surface caused by the sudden release of energy in the Earth's lithosphere, resulting in seismic waves.

Front

What are seismic waves?

Back

Seismic waves are waves of energy that travel through the Earth, generated by the movement of tectonic plates during an earthquake.

Front

What are the two main types of seismic waves?

Back

The two main types of seismic waves are body waves (P waves and S waves) and surface waves.

Front

What are P waves?

Back

P waves, or primary waves, are the fastest seismic waves that compress and expand the material they move through.

Front

What are S waves?

Back

S waves, or secondary waves, are slower than P waves and move the ground up and down or side to side.

Front

What are surface waves?

Back

Surface waves are seismic waves that travel along the Earth's surface and are typically the most destructive during an earthquake.

Front

What is the focus of an earthquake?

Back

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

Front

What is the epicenter of an earthquake?

Back

The epicenter is the point on the Earth's surface directly above the focus of an earthquake.

Front

What is a fault?

Back

A fault is a fracture or zone of fractures between two blocks of rock, where movement has occurred.

Front

What is compression in geology?

Back

Compression is a stress that pushes rocks together, often leading to the formation of mountains or earthquakes.