Objectives for the topic: Earthquakes

Reading: Chapter 16 in Tarbuck and Lutgens

Images to understand: 16.1, 3, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 16

After completing this topic, the student will be able to:

1. Define an earthquake, as well as its epicenter and focus.
2. Explain the occurrence of earthquakes according to elastic rebound theory.
3. Explain how the brick on sandpaper model is an appropriate metaphor for earthquakes.
4. Describe the distribution of earthquakes in time and space.
5. Explain the formation of seismic waves.
6. Describe the process of locating earthquake epicenters using P and S waves.
7. Describe the two main scales for measuring the size of an earthquake (Mercalli and Richter magnitude).
8. Explain how geologists use earthquakes to define tectonic plate boundaries.
9. Explain the relationship of the Wadati-Benioff zone to convergent plate margins.