Earthquakes Study Guide
Location & geometry: focus, epicenter, surface break, fault scarp
Measurement: Richter Scale, magnitude, 0-7?, moment magnitude scale, 7?-9Mw, seismic wave amplitude, ground motion, energy released, quantitative, 10X in motion for each number (up to about M7); Mercalli Scale, intensity, I-XII, damage done, subjective, human effects
Location: seismic waves, p-waves, s-waves, amplitude, time gap, first arrival
Fault Types: normal, reverse & thrust, strike slip
Describe and sketch the relations between and earthquake's focus, epicenter, and surface break (fault scarp). Why aren't the epicenter and the surface break located at the same place (usually)?
Compare and contrast the Richter scale and the Mercalli scale in terms of: what is measured, numbering system, how it is measured. Which is more useful in comparing the energy of two earthquakes? Why? Which is more useful in determining the impact on humans? Why? Why has the Richter scale been modified into the Moment magnitude scale for use in large earthquakes?
Compare and contrast the main types of faults (normal, reverse, thrust, strike slip) in terms of cause (stresses), motion, geometry.
Be able to interpret seismograms, identify P and S wave first arrivals, and use this information to locate the epicenter of an earthquake.