Earthquakes
the point on the earth's surface directly above where an earthquake begins
epicenter
the type of mountain that forms when molten rock erupts from a hole in the earth's crust
volcano
an instrument used to record the vibrations caused by and earthquake
seismograph
the central portion of the earth
core
area about 80% of the world's earthquakes occur
circum-Pacific belt
point deep in the earth where an earthquake begins
hypocenter
an opening in the earth's surface through which hot gases, ash, and molten rock are ejected from the earth's interior
volcano
scale used to measure the damage an earthquake does
modified Mercalli scale
the middle three layers
mantle
the earthquake zone stretching from southern Europe to Indonesia
Alpide belt
part of the earth that earthquake waves can provide us with information about
interior
caldera
scale that is considered the most reliable method for measuring the energy released by an earthquake
moment magnitude
the outer layer made of solid rock
crust
the area between the upper mantle and the lower mantle
transition zone
an earthquake caused by sudden movements of rock beneath the earth's surface
tectonic
a particle or block of solid volcanic ejecta
pyroclast
a computer system that stores and processes geographic data from various sources
geographic information system (or GIS)
the state of matter the inner core of the earth is thought to be
solid
the boundary line between the crust and the mantle
Moho (Or Mohorovicic discontinuity)
seismology
the channel in a volcano through which gases, ash, and molten rock are ejected from the earth's interior
vent
the scale used to measure the strength of a volcanic eruption
Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI)
the bottom of the mantle
type of earthquakes that make up 85% of all earthquakes
shallow-focus