A

aftershock

a smaller earthquake following the original

C

core

central part of the earth made of iron and nickel

crust

outer solid portion of the earth from 5 - 30 miles deep

E

earthquake

sudden, rapid shaking of the earth's crust caused by moving tectonic plates

epicenter

a location on the earth's surface directly above the earthquake's focus

F

fault

the place where tectonic plates meet or come together

focus

a location inside the earth where the earthquake takes place

L

liquefaction

during an earthquake, solid surfaces can react like liquids

M

magnitude

the amount of energy released from an earthquake

mantle

the melted layer of the earth just below the crust

Mercalli Intensity Scale

a method of measuring earthquakes based on visual observation - uses a scale of 1-12

R

Richter Scale

a method of measuring earthquakes based on seismographic readings

Ring of Fire

an active zone around the pacific ocean where plates of oceanic crust slip under the continental crusts - 4 out of 5 earthquakes take place along the pacific ring of fire - a huge number of volcanoes lie in the area too

S

seismograph

a sensitive piece of equipment used to measure and determine intensity of earthquakes

seismology

the science of using readings from a seismograph to determine intensity of earthquakes

T

Tectonic plates

huge sections of the earth's surface that float on the mantle

tsunami

a huge wave caused by sudden movement of the earth's surface - usually related to an earthquake or volcano

V

volcano

an opening in the earth's crust through which molten rock and gases are released