EARTHSC 2GG3 Chapter Notes - Chapter 3-4: Logarithmic Scale, Mercalli Intensity Scale, Arabian Plate
29 Dec 2019
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Document Summary
Earthquakes: shockwaves or vibrations within the earth. Epicenters of 99% of earthquakes confined to seismic belts. Triggered by sudden slippage of rock along fault planes in crust or mantle. Rocks break due to stress, different reaction in different materials. Fault: a fracture in the earth across which the two sides move relative to each other. Stresses: build up to cause rocks to fracture and shift sending off waves of seismic energy felt as earthquakes. The energy released during earthquakes pulverizes rocks, generates heat and causes vibrations. Epicenter: directly above the hypocenter at the earth"s surface. Body waves: first to arrive and travel through the entire earth pushing and pulling motion. Primary waves (p waves): first to arrive, fastest waves. Secondary waves (s waves): arrive after p waves. Surface waves: slowest waves but cause more damage since there is more motion associated with them die out at the core/mantle, travel near the surface. Rayleigh waves: vertical ocean like waves - circular.
