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LEQ: How does the energy released during an earthquake travel through the Earth?. Key Terms: seismology, focus, epicenter, seismic waves, P waves, S waves, surface waves. Seismology. Please turn to page 111 in your textbook. Word origin : From the Greek language .
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LEQ: How does the energy released during an earthquake travel through the Earth? Key Terms: seismology, focus, epicenter, seismic waves, P waves, S waves, surface waves
Seismology • Please turn to page 111 in your textbook. • Word origin: • From the Greek language. • A combination of 2 Greek words • Seism: From the Greek word seismos (earthquake). Derived from the word seiein (to shake). • ology: The Greek word for the study of “something”.
Where Earthquakes Begin • Earthquakes always begin in rock below Earth’s surface. • Most begin in the lithosphere within 100 km of Earth’s surface. • Always start at one particular point.
Earthquake Focus and Epicenter • Focus • The point beneath Earth’s surface where rock that is under stress breaks triggering an earthquake. • Epicenter • The point on Earth’s surface directly above the focus of the earthquake.
Seismic Waves • When an earthquake occurs, a tremendous amount of energy is immediately released. • The energy travels in all directions away from the focus. • The energy travels away from the focus in waves. • These waves are known as seismic waves. • Lets observe the animation.
Types of Seismic Waves • There are three types of seismic waves. • Primary Waves (P waves). • Secondary Waves (S waves). • Surface Waves. • An earthquake sends out P and S waves from its focus. • When these waves reach the epicenter, surface waves develop.
Primary Waves • Known as P Waves • Also known as compression waves. • Characteristics: • Travel the fastest of all the waves. • Can travel through liquids. • Compress and expand the ground.
Secondary Waves • Known as S waves. • Characteristics: • Travel slower than P waves. • Cannot travel through liquids. • Vibrate in a wave motion (side to side or up and down). • Also known as shear waves.
Surface Waves • Characteristics: • Occur when P and S waves reach the epicenter. • Travel across Earth’s surface slower than P and S waves. • Produce the most ground movements.
Wave Speed • The three seismic waves travel at different speeds. • P Waves are the fastest. • S Waves are second. • Surface waves are the slowest.