Earthquakes and the earth's interior - review questions for chapter 15
(also look at questions on p.459 in the textbook)
Earthquakes are episodes of ground shaking that occur as byproducts of tectonic processes. They
are detectable from a distance because the earth reverberates like a bell and transmits disturbances
in the form of seismic waves. It is for this reason that earthquakes take on importance not only as
a natural hazard, but as an important source of information about the internal structure of our
planet.
- What does elastic rebound theory tell us about why earthquakes occur?
- What is a seismograph and how does it work?
- What are the correct definitions of earthquake focus and epicenter?
- What are the differences between P-waves, S-waves, and surface waves? How do velocities
differ between these three kinds of seismic waves, and how does velocity vary with depth in the
earth's interior?
- What causes refraction and/or reflection of seismic waves, and what does this tell us about
compositional layering and variations in physical properties in the earth's interior?
- How are seismologists able to determine the location of an earthquake's epicenter?
- How does the Richter magnitude scale work and what do the numbers on the scale
represent? What is the relationship between magnitude and frequency of occurrence?
- What is the modified Mercalli scale and how does it work?
- What are the major natural hazards associated with earthquakes?
- What do current theories about the and mechanisms of earthquake occurrence tell us about
the possibility of predicting major earthquakes?
- To what extent are earthquake risks related to locations and types of plate
boundaries?
- What are Benioff zones?
- What are the major internal boundaries and internal trends in physical properties as revealed
by seismic waves?
- What is isostasy and how does it work?