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Earthquake Waves
Earth Science terms about Earthquakes and Seismic Waves
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| height of a wave | amplitude |
| distance between consecutive waves | wavelength |
| primary body wave (earthquake); fastest; least damaging; longitudinal wave | P waves |
| downward displacement of a wave | trough |
| upward displacement of a wave | crest |
| material a wave moves through | medium |
| wave particles vibrate parallel to wave direction | longitudinal waves |
| wave particles vibrate perpendicular to wave direction | transverse waves |
| disturbance that transmits energy | wave |
| sudden and violent shaking of the ground as a result of movement in the earth's crust or volcanic action | earthquake |
| the point of origin of an earthquake | focus |
| point on the earth's surface directly above the focus of an earthquake | epicenter |
| a smaller earthquake following the main earthquake | aftershock |
| a mild tremor preceding the violent shaking movement of an earthquake | foreshock |