Earthquake

Earthquakes

Fig.1: map showing the earthquakes listed in the Version 6.0 of the ISC-GEM Catalogue (nearly 36,000
earthquakes, see Fig.2). The symbols are plotted according to Agnew (2014) and colour coded according
to the ISC-GEM depth
Earthquake

Because plates move,

stresses are applied to
rock layers

The rocks are strained and

deformed.

To a certain point where

they break.
The accumulated energy
is released as earthquakes
 Earthquake

The point below the surface where the first break occurred is the
focus of the earthquake. The vertical projection of the focus to
the surface is the epicenter.
 Earthquake
⚫ Seismic waves travel from the focus through the
Earth (body waves) and on the surfaces of the
Earth's different layers and discontinuities
(surface waves).
⚫ Body waves are P- and S-waves
⚫ Surface waves are Reyleigh- and Love-waves
 Earthquakes

P waves are the first to arrive

https://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/glossary/?term=P%20wave
 Earthquakes

Followed by the S waves

https://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/glossary/?term=S%20wave
 Earthquakes

Body wave refraction through the different physical layers of the Earth. Note the
stronger refraction of P wave in the liquid outer core, and the non-propagation of
S wave in liquid.
S. Earle (2015) Physical Geology
 Earthquakes
⚫ Surface waves

https://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/glossary/?term=Rayleigh%20wave
 Earthquakes
⚫ Surface waves

https://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/glossary/?term=Love%20wave
 Earthquake
Measurement of earthquakes

Seismograph or Seismometer
 Earthquakes

Note the difference in lag time between P, S and surface waves, as well as in
frequency as recorded in the seismograms for different stations.
 Earthquakes

An example of an actual Seismogram

Blatt (1998) Laboratory Exercises in Environmental Geology

 Earthquakes

Blatt (1998) Laboratory Exercises in Environmental Geology

 Earthquakes
⚫ Magnitude ⚫ Intensity
− Measures the energy − Measures the strength of
released at the source of shaking produced by the
the earthquake earthquake at a certain
− Determined from location (will also depend
measurements on on the type of substrata)
seismographs − Modified Mercalli Intensity
Scale (I-XII)
− PHIVOLCS Earthquake
Intensity Scale (PEIS: I-X)

https://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/topics/mag_vs_int.php#targetText=Magnitude%20and%20Intensity%20measure%20d
ifferent,earthquake%20at%20a%20certain%20location.
 Earthquakes

https://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/topics/mag_vs_int.php#targetText=Magnitude%20and%20Intensity%20measur
e%20different,earthquake%20at%20a%20certain%20location.
 Earthquake

The Richter scale is logarithmic (base of

10), so for each 1 unit increase in
magnitude there is a corresponding 10
fold increase in wave amplitude.

The equivalent energy released increase

by about 28 to 31 times for each whole
number step.

https://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/glossary/?term=Richter%20scale
 Earthquake

The equivalent energy released increase by about 28 to 31 times for each whole number step.
You can compute and see the increase in energy released for each increase in magnitude
from the table.

Blatt (1998) Laboratory Exercises in Environmental Geology

 Man-made earthquakes
Example in areas around geothermal plants, or where fluid is injected underground

Blatt (1998) Laboratory Exercises in Environmental Geology