GLGY 209 Chapter Notes - Chapter 8: Mercalli Intensity Scale, Seismic Wave, Hypocenter
8 Apr 2016
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The place where rock breaks and causes an earthquake is called the focus or the hypocenter. Directly above this point is called the epicenter. When faults are being formed, rock begins to bend and eventually breaks or ruptures. When this rupture happens, vibraions are sent through the crust and an earthquake happens. Earthquake energy travels in the form of seismic waves. Seismic waves that pass through the interior of the earth are known as body waves; these waves include p-waves and s-waves. Surface waves that pass along the surface of the earth include r waves and l waves. Seismometers are instruments used to detect earthquake waves. Siesmologists use this tool to measure the diference between p and s waves in order to ind the epicenter of an earthquake. The mercalli intensity scale is based on the damage that an earthquake has caused the earth. Magnitude scales on the other hand, are based on measuring the amount of ground moion.
