Top 10 Commonly Confused Words in Seismology

Top 10 Commonly Confused Words in Seismology 1. Epicenter vs. Hypocenter When we talk about an earthquake's location, these two terms often come up. The epicenter refers to the point on the Earth's surface directly above the earthquake's origin, while the hypocenter is the actual point where the earthquake starts, deep within the Earth. Remember, the epicenter is on the surface, and the hypocenter is below. 2. Magnitude vs. Intensity Both these words describe an earthquake's strength, but they differ in meaning. Magnitude measures the amount of energy released at the source, usually using a logarithmic scale like Richter or Moment Magnitude. On the other hand, intensity describes the effects of an earthquake at a specific location, often using the Modified Mercalli Scale. So, magnitude is about the energy, while intensity is about the impact. 3. Seismic Waves: P, S, and Surface Waves During an earthquake, different types of waves radiate outwards. P-waves, or primary waves, are the fastest and arrive first. S-waves, or secondary waves, are slower but can cause more damage. Finally, surface waves, as the name suggests, travel along the Earth's surface and are responsible for the most destruction. Understanding these wave types helps us analyze an earthquake's characteristics.