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Natural Disasters
Energy Released
61
Geology
Undergraduate 4
09/14/2012

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Term
return period
Definition
the number of years between same-sized events
Term
Natural hazards
Definition
earthquakes, tsunamis, tornadoes, volcanos, etc.
Term
The four primary energy sources that make Earth an active body:
Definition
The impact of extraterrestrial bodies, gravity, Earth's internal heat, and the Sun
Term
stress
Definition
pressure that could cause strain
Term
strain
Definition
Damage to rocky material
Term
Ductile Deformation
Definition
Crumpling deformation
Term
Brittle Deformation
Definition
Occurs when stress is applied rapidly
Term
As stress differences increase, the _____ _____ is reached and permanent strain occurs.
Definition
yield stress
Term
Isostasy
Definition
Isostasy (Greek ísos "equal", stásis "standstill") is a term used in geology to refer to the state of gravitational equilibrium between the earth's lithosphere and asthenosphere such that the tectonic plates "float" at an elevation which depends on their thickness and density.
Term
List spheres from highest to deepest:
Definition
Atmosphere, Continent, Lithosphere, Asthenosphere, Mesophere
Term
Plate tectonics
Definition
Plate tectonics (from the Late Latin tectonicus, from the Greek: τεκτονικός "pertaining to building")[1] is a scientific theory that describes the large-scale motions of Earth's lithosphere. The theory builds on the concepts of continental drift, developed during the first decades of the 20th century.
Term
The gigantic pieces of lithosphere pull apart during seafloor spreading at _______ _____, slide past at _________ _____, or collide at ________ _____.
Definition
divergence zones, transform faults, convergence zones
Term
seismic-gap method
Definition
If segments of one fault have moved recently, then it seems reasonable to expect that the unmoved portions will move next and thus fill the gaps.
Term
________ _____ drives Earth's tectonic plates
Definition
Geothermal power
Term
Rift
Definition
In geology, a rift or chasm is a place where the Earth's crust and lithosphere are being pulled apart[1] and is an example of extensional tectonics.[2]
Term
foot wall
Definition
forms the acute angle, normal fault puts this higher than the hanging wall
Term
hanging wall
Definition
forms the obtuse angle, normal fault puts this lower than the foot wall
Term
A “great” natural disaster......
Definition
is so overwhelming that outside assistance is needed to handle the rescue and recovery for the region.
Term
Event Magnitude vs. Intensity
Definition
Magnitude - A measure of the energy released by the event.
-Indirect measure (i.e., Richter scale) Intensity - A measure of damage
-(i.e., Mercalli, Fujita scales)
Term
Magnitude and Frequency of events has a _______ relationship.
Definition
linear
Term
Energy is the capacity to do _____
Definition
work
Term
Work is...
Definition
force acting over a distance
Term
Power is...
Definition
the rate at which work is accomplished.
Term
Energy Sources for Catastrophes......
Definition
...are the same energy sources responsible for the maintenance of Earth Systems:
• Heat from the Earth • Heat from the Sun • Gravity • Impacts
Term
What drives the tectonic plates?
Definition
Geothermal power.
Term
_____ and _______ ______ of the plates produces volcanoes and earthquakes.
Definition
Movement, differential heating
Term
Solar power to the Earth is ____ times greater than the geothermal heat at the surface.
Definition
5300
Term
Catastrophic processes in heat transfer include which severe storms?
Definition
• Heavy rain (producing floods) • Hurricanes • Tornadoes • Lightning • Blizzards • Wild Fires
Term
Hazards of gravity
Definition
mass movements of earth materials (falls, slides, flows) and flow of water (floods)
Term
Where is the Ring of Fire?
Definition
Surrounding the Pacific Ocean
Term
Plate movements result in boundaries that exhibit: (3 things)
Definition
Divergence (Extension), Convergence (Compression), Transform motion (Shearing)
Term
What is an example of Divergent Plate boundaries?
Definition
Mid-ocean Ridges
Term
Seafloor spreading...
Definition
is a process that occurs at mid-ocean ridges, where new oceanic crust is formed through volcanic activity and then gradually moves away from the ridge
Term
Evidence for Pangaea:
Definition
1. Jig-Saw Puzzle
2. Same fossils on different continents
3. Rocks and Mountain Belts
4. Ancient Glaciers
Term
Hypocenter (aka Focus)
Definition
Position of rupture (energy relaese) at depth in the earth
Term
Epicenter
Definition
Position on the surface directly above the point of rupture in the subsurface (i.e., hypocenter)
Term
P (Primary) Waves - compression waves
Definition
Shake parallel to the direction of propogation, travel at 4-7 km/sec
Term
S (secondary) Waves - shearing waves
Definition
Shake perpendicular to the direction of propagation, travel at 3-4 km/sec
Term
Surface Waves:
Definition
Love waves – side to side motion
Rayleigh waves – backward rotation/ rolling motion
Term
Richter Magnitude
Definition
Measure of the relative size of an earthquake, related to the amount of energy released.
Determined from the amplitude of the wave trace on the seismograph.
Term
Moment Magnitude Scale
Definition
Mw = 2/3 log10 (Mo) – 6 where Mo is the seismic moment or the amount of strain energy released by movement along whole rupture surface
Term
Earthquake Hazards:
Definition
Ground Shaking, Motion, Ruptures, uplift/subsidence, Liquefaction, landslides, tsunamis
Term
Tsunami Characteristics
Definition
Wavelength: 100-200 km
Periods: 10-20 min
Velocity: 200 m/s
Height at sea: 1-2 m
Height at shore: Up to 30 m
Term
Liquefaction
Definition
In geology, liquefaction refers to the process by which saturated, unconsolidated sediments are transformed into a substance that acts like a liquid.
Term
Seismic Gap
Definition
A section of a fault that has produced earthquakes in the past but is now quiet.
Term
Asperity
Definition
An area on a fault that is stuck. The earthquake rupture usually begins at an asperity.
Term
Directivity
Definition
Directed rupturing sends energy in the direction of fault movement
Term
Foreshocks
Definition
Relatively smaller earthquakes that precede the largest earthquake in a series, which is termed the mainshock. Not all mainshocks have foreshocks.
Term
Aftershocks
Definition
Earthquakes that follow the largest shock of an earthquake sequence.
Term
Failed rifts...
Definition
are where continental rifting began, but then failed to continue to the point of break-up.
Term
A fracture zone...
Definition
is a linear oceanic feature--often hundreds, even thousands of kilometers long--resulting from the action of offset mid-ocean ridge axis segments. They are a consequence of plate tectonics.
Term
Three types of lava:
Definition
Basalt, Andesite, Rhyolite
Term
Three Vs of Volcanos
Definition
Viscosity, Volatiles, Volume
Term
Viscosity
Definition
Viscosity is a measure of the resistance of a fluid which is being deformed by either shear stress or tensile stress.
Term
Lava Textures:
Definition
Aa: Coarse and rough
Pahoehoe: Smooth and ropy
Term
Stratavolcanoes:
Definition
Formed with alternating layers of Ash and Lava
Term
Pyroclastic Particles
Definition
Fine Ash, Coarse Ash, Cinders
Term
Pyroclastic Particles
Definition
Bombs
Term
Volcanic Glass Types:
Definition
Obsidian and Pumice
Term
Caldera
Definition
A large depression generally caused by the removal of large quantities of magma from beneath a volcano, causing the ground to "collapse" into the emptied space
Term
Lahars
Definition
Rapidly moving mudflow
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