Seismic waves

When an earthquake occurs, the shockwaves of released energy that shake the Earth and temporarily turn soft deposits, such as clay, into jelly (liquefaction) are called seismic waves, from the Greek ‘seismos’ meaning ‘earthquake’. Seismic waves are usually generated by movements of the Earth’s tectonic plates but may also be caused by explosions, volcanoes and landslides.

Seismic waves are waves that travel through or over Earth. They are usually generated by movements of the Earth's tectonic plates (earthquakes) but may also be caused by explosions, volcanoes and landslides. They can tell us much about the Earth's structure.

A wave is a disturbance that transfers energy from one place to another in a regular and organized way. Among the most familiar waves are the surface waves that travel across…

Use a smartphone or GPS device to navigate to the provided coordinates. Visitors to EarthCaches can see how our planet has been shaped by geological processes, how we manage its resources, and how scientists gather evidence to learn about the Earth.

Earthquakes & Plate Tectonics It is a vibration in the crust due to the release of stress Causes a shift in the rocks along a fault or plate boundary Explained by the Elastic Rebound Theory “Locked” rocks build up stress, fracture, & slip back to original position Slipping causes release of energy = seismic waves

Seismic waves radiate from a movement in the earth's crust and can cause damage. Learn about the types of seismic waves: Body and Surface wave

The seismic waves released by submarine earthquakes have a lot of power to map temperature changes.

P Waves and S Waves in the Crust

Find out about the various types of waves. What types of waves are sound, electromagnetic, brain, seismic, mechanical, and surface waves.