Question


Earth Space Science


1. Stress
2. Strain
3. Elastic deformation
4. Plastic deformation
5. Fault
6. Seismic wave
7. Primary wave
8. Secondary wave
9. Focus
10. Epicenter
11. Seismometer
12. Seismogram
13. Richter scale
14. Magbitude
15. Amplitude
16. Moment magnitude scale
17. Modified mercalli scale
18. Soil liquefaction
19. Tsunami
20. Seismic gap

Answers

GPT-4o mini
Here are brief definitions for each of the terms listed in Earth Space Science:

1. **Stress**: The force applied per unit area within materials that can lead to deformation. It can be caused by tectonic forces such as compression, tension, or shear.

2. **Strain**: The deformation or change in shape that occurs in a material in response to applied stress. It can be elastic (temporary) or plastic (permanent).

3. **Elastic Deformation**: A temporary change in the shape of a material under stress, which is reversible once the stress is removed.

4. **Plastic Deformation**: A permanent change in shape or size of a material when stressed beyond its elastic limit, meaning it does not return to its original form.

5. **Fault**: A fracture or zone of fractures between two blocks of rock, where there has been relative movement of the blocks due to stress.

6. **Seismic Wave**: Waves of energy generated by the sudden release of stress in the Earth's crust, commonly associated with earthquakes.

7. **Primary Wave (P-wave)**: A type of seismic wave that compresses and expands the material it travels through and is the fastest seismic wave, arriving first at seismic stations.

8. **Secondary Wave (S-wave)**: A type of seismic wave that moves material perpendicular to the direction of its travel and arrives after P-waves. It cannot travel through fluids.

9. **Focus**: The point within the Earth where an earthquake originates; also known as the hypocenter.

10. **Epicenter**: The point on the Earth's surface directly above the focus of an earthquake.

11. **Seismometer**: An instrument used to detect and record the vibrations caused by seismic waves.

12. **Seismogram**: The graphical record produced by a seismometer, showing the amplitude and duration of seismic waves.

13. **Richter Scale**: A logarithmic scale used to measure the magnitude of earthquakes based on the amplitude of seismic waves recorded by seismographs.

14. **Magnitude**: A measure of the energy released during an earthquake, often represented on the Richter scale or moment magnitude scale.

15. **Amplitude**: The height or strength of a seismic wave as recorded on a seismogram, which is related to the energy released during an earthquake.

16. **Moment Magnitude Scale**: A scale that measures the total energy released by an earthquake, considered to provide a more accurate measure than the Richter scale for large earthquakes.

17. **Modified Mercalli Scale**: A scale that measures the intensity of an earthquake based on its observed effects on people, buildings, and the Earth's surface, rather than its energy release.

18. **Soil Liquefaction**: A phenomenon where saturated soil temporarily loses its strength due to seismic activity, causing it to behave like a liquid.

19. **Tsunami**: A series of ocean waves generated by large underwater disturbances, such as earthquakes or volcanic eruptions, leading to potential flooding in coastal areas.

20. **Seismic Gap**: A segment of an active fault that has not experienced an earthquake for a significant amount of time compared to other segments, indicating a potential for a future earthquake.

These concepts are vital for understanding earthquakes and their impacts on the Earth's structure and human environments.