Earthquakes
Earthquakes April-18-12 8:19 PM
As tectonic plates move, stress builds up at the boundaries. When the plates can no longer handle the stress, it releases in the form of an earthquake. There are several locations we have to be aware of:
Earth Sciences Page 1
aware of:
Epicentre = point on Earth's surface directly above focus Focus = location where earthquake begins Example: Desk Energy from earthquakes travel in the form of seismic waves. Seismic waves are classified into four different categories:
P-waves = fastest, travels through solids, liquids, and gases, forward-and-back Earth Sciences Page 2
liquids, and gases, forward-and-back motion
S-waves = second fastest, travels only through solids, up-and-down motion
L-waves = third fastest, travels along the surface, sideways motion
Earth Sciences Page 3
R-waves = slowest, travels along the surface, rolling motion Example: Slinky 1. Example: Students
Homework Read 526-531 Questions 1-3 on p. 531
Earth Sciences Page 4
As tectonic plates move, stress builds up at the boundaries. When the plates can no longer handle the stress, it releases in the form of an earthquake. There are several locations we have to be aware of:
Earth Sciences Page 1
aware of:
Epicentre = point on Earth's surface directly above focus Focus = location where earthquake begins Example: Desk Energy from earthquakes travel in the form of seismic waves. Seismic waves are classified into four different categories:
P-waves = fastest, travels through solids, liquids, and gases, forward-and-back Earth Sciences Page 2
liquids, and gases, forward-and-back motion
S-waves = second fastest, travels only through solids, up-and-down motion
L-waves = third fastest, travels along the surface, sideways motion
Earth Sciences Page 3
R-waves = slowest, travels along the surface, rolling motion Example: Slinky 1. Example: Students
Homework Read 526-531 Questions 1-3 on p. 531
Earth Sciences Page 4
