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TERM 1
Earthquakes
DEFINITION 1 Earthquakes- Violent shaking of the earth caused by plate tectonics. Approx 30,000 are recorded per year. Earths crust is a puzzle of plates,stress builds as plates slide or collide with each other. The release of stress results in the earthquake TERM 2
Richter scale
DEFINITION 2 Each unit is a ten fold increase in magnitude significant damage occurs at 5 or greater TERM 3
Earthquake focus point
DEFINITION 3 Point at which stress is released TERM 4
Earthquake Epicenter
DEFINITION 4 point on Earths surface about the focus point TERM 5
Typical Earthquake Sequence
DEFINITION 5 horizontal compression and expansion, vertical movement ,complex movement of horizontal and vertical movement at the surface
TERM 6
volcano: caused of death and distruction
DEFINITION 6 molten rock ,incineration by pyroclastic flowsHot gases infused with incandescent ash and larger material ,drowning or burying by mudslides called lahars earthquakes associated with volcanoes TERM 7
Tsunami
DEFINITION 7 monster waves created by volcanic or tectonic activity tremendous energy imparted to water. in deep water presence of energy wave very difficult to detect without instruments. Capable of moving across and entire ocean at speeds 835km/hr. When energy wave moves to shallow water (islands and coasts) energy wave slows to 50km/hr causing huge waves (often greater than 50 feet) to occur inundating island and costal areas. Prior to the arrival of a tsunami the ocean recedes. Pacific ocean is most prone due to geological activity. A tsunami warning network is in place. TERM 8
Floods
DEFINITION 8 Of the three stages in the structure of a river or stream, the floodplain stage is the most prone Most human settlement has been in the floodplain stage or the transitional stage Heavy precipitation or rapid snowmelt in the source stage or transition stage send excessive water to the floodplain as well as flooding due to hurricanes/tropical storms TERM 9
Hurricanes
DEFINITION 9 Hurricanes (northern hemisphere) ,Cyclones (southern hemisphere) Major storms typically developing from mid-late summer to mid fall characterized by: Sustained high winds, Torrential rains, Significant storm surges Classified by the Saffir-Simpson.
