Earthquake Data Analysis

Earthquake Data Analysis

• Earthquakes originate at a single point, radiating outwards in all directions.
• Scientific instruments detect ground motion during an earthquake.
• Earthquakes release energy, causing damage to structures.
• Body waves (P- and S-waves) travel at differing speeds, like a stretched spring.
• Surface waves form after body waves, damaging man-made structures.
• Seismographs record ground motion, creating a seismogram.
• Seismograms aid in analyzing earthquake data and interpretation.
• Earthquake waves travel at various speeds, arriving at seismic stations at different times.
• The focus is the underground point where energy is released, with the epicenter being the surface point above it.
• Epicenters are identified by triangulating data from multiple seismic stations.
• Earthquakes are natural processes that produce destructive waves carrying energy.
• Earthquake characteristics are connected to the level of damage they cause.
• Analysis and interpretation of data reveals properties of an earthquake.
• Aftershocks are subsequent quakes that occur before seismic activity returns to normal levels.

Earthquake Wave Characteristics

• Earthquake waves (P- and S-waves) travel through the Earth's interior.
• Surface waves are caused by propagation at or near the surface.
• P-waves (primary waves), are the first detected, fastest, and are compressional.
• S-waves (secondary waves) are slower, arrive after P-waves and are transverse waves.

Measuring and Understanding Earthquakes

• Earthquakes have magnitudes, measuring their energy release.
• Intensity measures damage caused by an earthquake.
• Earth has layers: crust, mantle, core.
• The lithosphere is Earth's rigid outer shell; it breaks into segments.
• Plate tectonics details the interaction and movements of plates.
• The asthenosphere is the highly viscous layer beneath the lithosphere.
• Earthquakes occur where plates interact.
• There's no reliable way to predict earthquake occurrences.

Earthquake Terminology

• Seismograph: Instrument that detects ground motion from an earthquake.
• Seismology: The study of earthquakes.
• Seismometer: Instrument used to detect earthquake waves.
• Seismic Station: Location of a seismic sensor/recorder.
• Surface Wave: Wave traveling along the Earth's surface.
• P-wave: Primary wave (compressional).
• S-wave: Secondary wave (transverse).
• Model: Tool/representation scientists use to explain ideas.
• Focus: Point underground where seismic energy is produced.
• Epicenter: Point on the surface directly above the focus.
• Aftershock: Earthquake subsequent to a major one in the same area.
• Seismogram: Recording of ground motion by a seismograph.
• Globe: Spherical model of Earth.
• Map: Representation of Earth.
• Tsunami: Series of sea waves caused by earthquakes.