Asthenosphere | Layer of the Earth below the lithosphere |
Compression force | Force present when two regions of rock are moving together |
Continental crust | Thicker, less dense crust |
Convection cells | Motion of the mantle that drives the movement of tectonic plates |
Crust | Outer surface of the Earth |
Epicenter | Area on the Earth's surface above the focus of an earthquake |
Fault | Surface along which rocks break and move |
Focus | Area below the Earth's surface where an earthquake originates |
Inner core | Region of solid nickel and iron |
Lithosphere | Composed of the crust and upper mantle; divided into plates |
Moho discontinuity | Boundary between the crust and the mantle where seismic waves speed up |
Normal fault | Rock moves down, below the fault surface |
Oceanic crust | Dense, thin crust found; composes the ocean basins |
Outer core | Layer of the Earth composed of liquid iron and nickel |
Primary wave | First seismic wave to reach a seismic station |
Reflection | Occurs when waves bounce off an object |
Refraction | Occurs when waves bend |
Reverse fault | Rock moves above the fault surface |
Secondary wave | Second seismic wave to reach a seismic station |
Seismologist | Scientist who studies earthquakes |
Shearing force | Force that pushes rock in opposite directions |
Strike slip fault | Location where rocks move past each other |
Subduction | Location where one plate sinks below the other |
Surface wave | Slowest seismic waves that cause the most destruction |
Tension force | Force present at a normal fault where rock moves apart |
Tsunami | Seismic sea wave |
Upper mantle | Layer of the earth below the Earth's crust |