Class Preparation

Earthquakes and Earthquake Hazards

What factors control the location and depth of earthquakes?

What is earthquake magnitude?  earthquake intensity?

Why do some faults produce large earthquakes and other faults only minor tremors?

Why are the behaviors of the giant subterranean worm-things  in the movie "Tremors" unrealistic?

Describe the elastic strain energy concept as it relates to generation of earthquakes.

What kinds of precursors may be related to rock deformation prior to earthquakes?

Describe P-waves, S-waves and L-waves (surface waves)

Why are material properties of rock and sediment important in determining earthquakes hazards?

Describe the phenomena associated with earthquake-caused liquification/thixotropic behavior.