Chapter Questions
Explain how energy is stored prior to, and then released during, an earthquake.
Give two mechanisms that can release accumulated elastic energy in rocks.
Why do most earthquakes occur at the boundaries between tectonic plates? Are there any exceptions?
Define focus and epicenter.
Discuss the similarities and differences among P waves, S waves, and surface waves.
Explain how a seismograph works. Sketch what an imaginary seismogram would look like before and during an earthquake.
Describe the similarities and differences between the Richter and moment magnitude scales. What is actually measured and what information is obtained?
Describe how the epicenter of an earthquake is located.
Discuss earthquake mechanisms at the three types of tectonic plate boundaries.
What is the Benioff zone? At what type of tectonic boundary does it occur?
Why do only shallow earthquakes occur along the Mid-Oceanic Ridge?
Discuss earthquake mechanisms at plate interiors.