Earthquake Basics
This is the point inside the Earth where an earthquake originates.
What is the focus (or hypocenter)?
These geological structures, created by the movement of tectonic plates, are commonly associated with earthquake activity.
What are faults?
This type of seismic wave moves the fastest and is the first to be detected by seismographs.
What is a P-wave (Primary wave)?
The area on the Earth’s surface directly above the earthquake's origin point is called the __________.
What is the epicenter?
This is the most commonly known scale used to measure the magnitude of an earthquake.
What is the Richter scale?
The name of the sections of the Earth's crust.
What are tectonic plates?
This is the name for the boundary where two tectonic plates slide past each other, often causing earthquakes.
What is a transform fault?
This term refers to the shaking of the ground that occurs after the main event of an earthquake.
What are aftershocks?
This city was famously shaken by a major earthquake in 1906, leading to widespread destruction.
What is San Francisco?