BASIC DEFINITIONS
FAULT: A surface or narrow zone
along which one side has moved
relative to the other.
Faults are classified based upon
their direction of movement.
HANGING WALL vs FOOTWALL
A fault divides rock into two fault blocks
For any inclined fault, the block above the fault is
the hanging wall block, and the block below the
fault is the footwall block
www.data.scec.org/Module/footnt02.html
CLASSIFICATION of DIP-SLIP
FAULTS
NORMAL FAULTS: Dip-slip faults on which
the hanging wall moves down relative to
the footwall
CLASSIFICATION of DIP-SLIP
FAULTS
THRUST or REVERSE FAULTS: Dip-slip
faults on which the hanging wall moves
up relative to the footwall
CLASSIFICATION of STRIKE-SLIP
FAULTS
RIGHT-LATERAL (DEXTRAL) FAULTS: Strike-slip
faults across which the block moves to the right
LEFT-LATERAL (SINISTRAL) FAULTS: Strike-slip faults
across which the block moves to the left
Earthquakes
Earthquake
- Is the sudden vibration, violent movement of
Earth’s surface caused by a rapid released of
stored energy.
- Other term (tremor or tremblor)
Focus – is the source from which the energy is
released radiating to all directions.
Epicenter- is the point directly above the focus.
Epicenter and Focus
Seismographs
Tools used to measure or record
earthquake waves.
The records generated are called
seismograms.
Seismograph and
Seismogram
Types of Seismic Waves
1. Surface waves – travel to the
outer layer of the Earth.
2. Body waves - travel through
the interior of Earth.
Body Waves
1. P wave (Primary Wave)
- also called push and pull waves
- because they compress and
expand rocks in the direction of the
wave.
Simulation: hold the shoulder of your
classmates and shake.
Body Waves
2. S wave (Secondary Waves)
- shake rocks perpendicular to
their direction.
Simulation: have a rope and shake the
other end. You are somehow
generating S wave.
Surface Wave
Rayleigh Wave (3km/s)
- The slowest among the
wave.
- Backward rolling motion
of the ground.
Surface Wave
Rayleigh Wave
- Vibration particles is side
to side or up and down
motion parallel to the
direction of the wave.
Surface Wave
Love Wave (2.5 - 4.5km/s)
- Is a transverse wave
where the vibrating particle
travels side to side in
horizontal way.
Surface Wave
Love Wave
- The most destructive
among the waves.
Magnitude – measures the amount
of energy released at the source of
an earthquake.
Intensity- refers to the effect and
damage caused by an earthquake.
Effect of Earthquake
Loss of life and property
Damage to transport system
Chances of floods – develop cracks in
dams
Chances fire short circuit
Communications such as telephone
wires are damaged.
Economic activities are severely
affected
If you are in vehicle
Stop in a safe open place
Remain inside vehicle
Close window, doors and vents
