Earthquake and Seismic Waves Ch 11-1 Vocab

The most powerful earthquake in US history measured 9.2 on the Richter scale.

The L in L waves stands for

This happens to S waves when they hit the outer core of the Earth.

Name of the scientists who focus their study on earthquakes and seismic waves.

The first seismic wave to reach the seismic station.

Seismic waves that cause buildings to sway side to side

Seismic wave that can travel through solids, liquids, and gases.

The instrument used by scientists that is able to detect, measure and record earthquake waves.

This type of seismic wave is a surface wave.

This seismic wave originates at the earthquakes epicenter

A large ocean wave usually caused by movement in the sea floor from an earthquake.

Seismic wave which causes the most destruction to buildings and roads.

The slowest moving seismic wave

A natural disaster caused by the shaking of the earth's crust and a release of energy.

Name the major fault that runs through western California.

The point of origin of and earthquake.

The P in P waves stands for

The point on the earth's surface directly above the origin of the earthquake.

The scientific study of earthquakes and the movement of seismic waves.

Instrument used to detect and measure seismic waves generated by earthquakes

A zone of weakness or a fracture in the earth's crust along which earhtquakes occur.

The energy waves created when an earthquake occurs.

In a typical year, the number of Major or Great earthquakes.

The theory and study of the movement of Earth's lithospheric plates.

The difference in arrival times of the P and S waves on the seismograph.

P waves travel the fastest through which material.

The scale used by scientists to compare the strength of one earthquake to another.

The S in S waves stands for

This happens to P waves when they hit the outer core.

What is the most common cause of earthquakes?