earthquakes P1

• What is the Earth's outer layer, where earthquakes originate, called?

  The crust
• What are the random shapes that the Earth's crust is divided into called?

  Tectonic plates
• What are the areas where tectonic plates meet called?

  Plate margins or plate boundaries
• What happens when tectonic plates get stuck and then finally move?

  They release energy as seismic waves
• What are the energy releases from the movement of tectonic plates called?

  Earthquakes
• Why are earthquakes considered unpredictable events?

  They release tension at any point
• What is the point within the Earth where an earthquake starts?

  The focus
• Where is the focus of an earthquake normally located?

  In the mantle
• What is the point on the Earth's surface directly above the focus called?

  The epicenter
• What are the vibrations caused by an earthquake called?

  Seismic waves
• Where are seismic waves strongest during an earthquake?

  Near the epicenter
• What scale is used to measure the magnitude of earthquakes?

  The moment magnitude scale
• What range does the moment magnitude scale use to measure earthquakes?

  From 1 to 10
• What type of damage can be expected from an earthquake measuring less than or equal to 6 on the moment magnitude scale?

  Slight damage to buildings
• What type of damage can be expected from an earthquake measuring equal to or bigger than 7 on the moment magnitude scale?

  Major damage and death
• How much bigger is a magnitude 7 earthquake compared to a magnitude 6 earthquake on the moment magnitude scale?

  10 times bigger