Ch 21: Earthquakes
About This Chapter
Earthquakes - Chapter Summary and Learning Objectives
Earthquakes are the often catastrophic results of the rapid release of elastic energy stored in rocks. In this chapter, our knowledgeable instructors explain the causes of earthquakes and the terms used to describe their various aspects. You will learn about the damage earthquakes can cause and examine the technologies scientists use to study them. By the time you've finished the videos in this chapter, you will be familiar with:
- The definition, causes, and history of earthquakes
- Aftershocks and foreshocks
- Scientific methods of studying and measuring earthquakes
- Destruction caused by earthquakes
- The source of earthquakes
| Video | Objective |
|---|---|
| What is an Earthquake? - Definition and History | Describe the nature of earthquakes and define faults, foci, and epicenter. |
| The Causes of Earthquakes | Learn how the rapid release of energy stored in rocks causes earthquakes and explain elastic rebound. |
| Aftershocks and Foreshocks of an Earthquake | Examine the difference between aftershocks and foreshocks. |
| Using Seismic Waves | Describe how seismic waves are used to study earthquakes. |
| Using the Richter Scale | Explore how scientists use Richter Scale as a method of measuring earthquakes. |
| Destruction Caused by Earthquakes | Study the nature of the damage caused by earthquakes. |
| Identifying the Source | Research how the source of an earthquake is identified. |
1. What is an Earthquake? - Definition and Components
Earthquakes are well known for the damage and destruction they leave behind. But what is an earthquake? In this video lesson you will learn about what causes earthquakes and the various components involved in these powerful natural disasters.
2. The Causes of Earthquakes
In this video lesson you will learn what causes earthquakes and where they occur. You will also understand the theory of elastic rebound, and how this relates to movement of the earth's crust.
3. Identifying and Understanding Earthquakes Using Seismic Activity
Scientists can learn a lot about earthquakes by studying how they move ground. Using seismic activity, we can learn where an earthquake originated as well as how strong it was. In this video lesson, you will learn about seismic activity and how it relates to our understanding of earthquakes.
4. Aftershocks & Foreshocks of an Earthquake
An earthquake is not an isolated event of ground shaking. Foreshocks and aftershocks occur with most earthquakes, and in this video lesson you will learn about them and how they are part of the overall process.
5. Using the Richter Scale to Measure Earthquakes
In this video lesson, you will learn about earthquake magnitude and how it is measured. You will also learn how that relates to the amount of energy released during an earthquake, as well as how common different magnitude earthquakes are around the world.
6. Destruction Caused by Earthquakes
Earthquakes are well-known for their damage and destruction, and in this video lesson you will learn about the different types of damage that these dangerous natural disasters can cause.
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Other Chapters
Other chapters within the Earth Science 101: Earth Science course
- Earth Science Basics
- Geologic Time
- Characteristics of Matter
- Earth's Spheres and Internal Structure
- Plate Tectonics
- Minerals and Rocks
- Igneous Rocks
- Volcanic Landforms
- Weathering and Erosion
- Sedimentary Rocks: A Deeper Look
- Metamorphic Rocks: A Deeper Look
- Rock Deformation and Mountain Building
- Water Balance on Earth
- Running Water
- Ground Water
- Glaciers
- Oceans
- Coastal Hazards
- Earth's Atmosphere
- Weather, Air Masses & Storms
- Earth History
- Energy Resources
- Studying for Earth Science 101
