Seismic waves are the waves of energy caused by the sudden breaking of rock within the earth or an explosion. ... Earthquakes radiate seismic energy as both body and surface waves. Body Waves. Traveling through the interior of the earth, body waves arrive before the surface waves emitted by an earthquake
The earliest scientists first observed the waves that earthquakes produce before they could accurately describe the nature of earthquakes or their fundamental causes, as discussed in Lessons 1–5. Therefore, the earliest solid scientific advances in seismology concerned earthquake waves. As discussed in Lesson 5, earthquakes occur when elastic energy is accumulated slowly within the Earth's crust as a result of plate motions and then released suddenly at fractures in the crust called faults. The released energy travels in the form of waves called seismic waves. It is this released energy that puts human beings and human structures in danger. Therefore, it is critical to understand where this energy is released and in what form.
In this lesson, students learn about different types of seismic waves on the basis of where and how the waves move. In addition, students discuss how scientists use earthquake waves to investigate the interior structure of the Earth.
Answers & Comments
Answer:
Seismic waves are the waves of energy caused by the sudden breaking of rock within the earth or an explosion. ... Earthquakes radiate seismic energy as both body and surface waves. Body Waves. Traveling through the interior of the earth, body waves arrive before the surface waves emitted by an earthquake
Explanation:
Answer:
The earliest scientists first observed the waves that earthquakes produce before they could accurately describe the nature of earthquakes or their fundamental causes, as discussed in Lessons 1–5. Therefore, the earliest solid scientific advances in seismology concerned earthquake waves. As discussed in Lesson 5, earthquakes occur when elastic energy is accumulated slowly within the Earth's crust as a result of plate motions and then released suddenly at fractures in the crust called faults. The released energy travels in the form of waves called seismic waves. It is this released energy that puts human beings and human structures in danger. Therefore, it is critical to understand where this energy is released and in what form.
In this lesson, students learn about different types of seismic waves on the basis of where and how the waves move. In addition, students discuss how scientists use earthquake waves to investigate the interior structure of the Earth.