Chapter 1
The moving puzzle of tectonic plates
Chapter 2
Inside the fiery chambers of volcanoes
Chapter 3
When the earth shakes and rolls
Chapter 4
Living with a restless planet
YOUR GOAL
Master of Volcanoes and earthquakes
Ch 3 · When the earth shakes and rolls
artiteacher Earthquakes
The world beneath you, always in a spin, As tectonic plates shift from deep within.
artiteacher Seismologists use sensitive instruments called seismographs to measure ground motion and calculate an earthquake's magnitude.
artiteacher Earthquakes release energy in different types of seismic waves, including fast primary waves and slower, destructive secondary waves.
Fun Fact
Fast waves: Primary seismic waves travel through Earth's crust at speeds of up to 8 kilometers per second, faster than a speeding bullet.
Glossary
earthquake (noun)
A sudden and violent shaking of the ground, sometimes causing great destruction, as a result of movements within the earth's crust or volcanic action. San Francisco suffered a devastating 1906 earthquake that registered 8.3 on the Richter scale.
A sudden and violent shaking of the ground, sometimes causing great destruction, as a result of movements within the earth's crust or volcanic action. San Francisco suffered a devastating 1906 earthquake that registered 8.3 on the Richter scale.
Quiz
Which seismic wave travels the fastest and arrives first at detection stations?
Quiz
What temporary process turns solid sandy soil into a liquid-like mush during intense shaking?
Quiz
What scale is modernly used by scientists to measure the total energy of an earthquake?
Quiz
What is the point on Earth's surface directly above where an earthquake starts?