EARTHQUAKES

• Magnitude

  The size of the earthquakes; measured using the Richter Scale
• Focus

  A point at some depth in the crust where the earthquake originates
• Epicenter

  The point on Earth's surface directly above the focus.
• P Waves

  Short for primary waves

  • longitudinal waves
  • seismic wave that can travel within the Earth's surface
  • can pass through all kinds of medium; solid, liquid, and gas
• S Waves

  Also called secondary waves or shear waves

  • transverse waves that can travel within the Earth's Surface
  • can pass through solids
  • side to side shaking of the surface
• Love Waves

  Surface waves moving parallel to the Earth's surface

  • perpendicular to the wave propagation direction
• Rayleigh waves

  Surface waves moving in elliptical, rolling motion