Earthquakes

Front

What is an earthquake?

Back

An earthquake is the shaking of the surface of the Earth resulting from a sudden release of energy in the Earth's lithosphere that creates seismic waves.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

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.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

Front

What is the focus of an earthquake?

Back

The focus is the location underground where the rocks slip to create the earthquake.

Front

What are seismic waves?

Back

Seismic waves are waves of energy that travel through the Earth and are caused by the sudden breaking of rock within the Earth or an explosion.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-5

Front

What is a seismograph?

Back

A seismograph is an instrument that measures and records the motion of the ground during an earthquake.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

Front

What is a seismogram?

Back

A seismogram is the visual record produced by a seismograph, showing the intensity and duration of seismic waves.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-2

Front

How many seismograms are needed to locate the epicenter of an earthquake?

Back

Scientists typically read seismograms from at least three different locations to determine the epicenter.

Front

What is lag time in seismology?

Back

Lag time is the difference in arrival times between the primary (P) waves and secondary (S) waves of an earthquake.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS4-1

Front

What are P-waves?

Back

P-waves, or primary waves, are the fastest seismic waves that travel through solids, liquids, and gases.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-2

Front

What are S-waves?

Back

S-waves, or secondary waves, are slower seismic waves that can only travel through solids.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-2