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analyzingearthquake
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| body wave | an earthquake wave that travels through the body of earth rather than on its surface. p-wave s-wave and surface wave. |
| surface wave | An earthquake wave that travels at or near the surface of earth |
| p-wave | A primary (compressional) earthquake wave that travels through the body of earth; so named because it is the first wave to reach a seismograph station during an earthquake, see also s-wave. |
| s-wave | a secondary earthquake wave, so named because it travels slower than a primary wave and is the second wave to reach the seismograph station after an earthquake. It travels through the body of earth as a series of crest and troughs. See also p-wave. |
| aftershock | an earthquake that occurs later along the same fault zone as a major earthquake, but before the area has returned to its normal level of seismic activity. |
| epicenter | location on earth's surface directly above an earthquake's focus, or origin. |
| focus | location beneath Earth's surface where the energy of an earthquake is released. |