GS 104

Learning objectives: Earthquakes

1. Explain the relationship between earthquakes and faults.

Define: earthquake, focus, faults, epicenter

2. Explain the elastic rebound theory.

3. What are aftershocks and foreshocks and how are they different?

4. What is a seismograph?

5. Explain how the following types of seismic waves behave as they move through the earth and know which are body waves:

surface waves

primary (P) waves

secondary (S) waves

6. Why do earthquakes occur in regions other than plate boundaries (i.e. Missouri)?

7. Explain what a seismologist requires in order to locate the epicenter of an earthquake.

8. Understand how the Richter scale works.

9. What is the Mercalli intensity scale, what does it measure, and how is it used by local governments?

10. Calculate the differences in energy released and the amplitude of the of waves given the earthquake magnitude on the Richter Scale.

11. Discuss the various hazards associated with earthquakes.

12. Explain why framed buildings will withstand earthquakes better than un-re-enforced masonry buildings.

13. Understand what liquefaction is and what causes it

14. Explain how a tsunami wave is different from a normal wave and know what causes it.

15. Describe the difference in earthquake prediction and forecasting and how forecasting could be useful.

16. Be able to discuss earthquake potential and hazards for the Northwest.