1. Seismic waves are vibrations that travel through the Earth's layers, generated by earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, or other seismic sources.
2. The three types of seismic waves arrive in this order: P-waves (primary), S-waves (secondary), and then surface waves.
3. Surface waves produce the most severe ground movements because they travel along the Earth’s surface and cause the most destructive shaking.
4. The moment magnitude scale measures the total energy released by an earthquake based on the area of the fault rupture, the average amount of slip, and the rigidity of the rocks involved. It is useful because it provides a more accurate and consistent measure across all earthquake sizes, especially for large events, compared to older scales like the Richter scale.
5. Geologists locate the epicenter by using data from at least three seismograph stations. They calculate the difference in arrival times between P-waves and S-waves at each station to determine the distance to the epicenter. Then, they draw circles around each station with radii equal to those distances; the point where the circles intersect is the epicenter.
6. c
7. e
8. b
9. a
10. d
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of earthquakes and seismic waves worksheet.
