Earth's Layers and Seismic Waves

Front

What are seismic waves?

Back

Seismic waves are energy radiated in all directions from the focus of an earthquake.

Front

What is the inner core of the Earth?

Back

The inner core is the solid, innermost layer of the Earth, composed mainly of iron and nickel.

Front

What layer of the Earth is composed of moving continental and oceanic plates?

Back

The lithosphere, which includes the crust and the uppermost portion of the mantle.

Front

What are the four layers of the Earth?

Back

The four layers of the Earth are the crust, mantle, outer core, and inner core.

Front

What is the lithosphere?

Back

The lithosphere includes the crust and the uppermost portion of the mantle, which is solid and rigid.

Front

What are body waves?

Back

Body waves are seismic waves that travel through the Earth's interior.

Front

What are surface waves?

Back

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

Front

What is the focus of an earthquake?

Back

The focus is the point within the Earth where an earthquake originates.

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 the mantle?

Back

The mantle is the thick layer of the Earth located between the crust and the outer core, composed of semi-solid rock.