Download presentation
Presentation is loading. Please wait.
Published byBlaise Shelton Modified over 9 years ago
1
Earthquakes
2
Earthquakes Result from Stress What is an Earthquake? –Definition : Shaking of a crust by a release of energy – Results : 1. Explosions, fires, broken sewage lines and water mains. Unstable roads, railroads, runways. 2. Tsunamis
3
Tsunami: Giant ocean wave generated by an earthquake whose epicenter is on the ocean floor. (computer generated photo)
4
Causes of Earthquakes Elastic – rebound theory –Definition : When stress overcomes friction, sudden movement occurs and a snap forward occurs. This is followed by a rebound or snap back.
5
Terminology Focus : –Where earthquakes actually occur below the surface Epicenter : –Point on earth’s surface directly above focus
6
Magnitude vs. Intensity Magnitude –Definition: The amount of energy released by an earthquake. Intensity –Definition: The amount of damage caused by an earthquake. Intensity: Mercalli Scale Magnitude: Richter Scale - -Scale 1- 12 - Scale 1- 10 1= no damage 30 times more energy as you 12= total destruction go up the scale
7
Earthquake Waves Kinds of wave motions –P Waves Primary (compressional) waves Can travel through any materials (solid, liquid, gas) Back and forth waves Twice as fast as S waves –S Waves Secondary waves Side to side waves Can travel through solids only –L Waves Surface waves Slowest moving waves Cause the most damage
8
Seismograph: Instrument used to detect and record vibrations from earthquakes.
9
Seismogram: Record of an event from seismograph
10
Lag Time: Since P waves travel faster than S waves, scientists determine distance to the epicenter by analyzing the difference in arrival times.
11
Lag Time: The longer the lag time between the arrival of the P-waves and the arrival of the S-waves, the farther away the earthquake occurred.
12
Locating the epicenter Triangulate between 3 or more seismograph stations Where the circles Intersect = an epicenter
Similar presentations
© 2025 SlidePlayer.com. Inc.
All rights reserved.