Top 10 Commonly Confused Words in Seismotectonics

Top 10 Commonly Confused Words in Seismotectonics 1. Fault vs. Fracture One of the most fundamental distinctions in seismotectonics is between a fault and a fracture. While both involve the breaking of rocks, a fault is specifically a planar discontinuity along which there has been displacement. On the other hand, a fracture refers to any break in the rock, regardless of displacement. So, think of a fault as a type of fracture, but not all fractures are faults. 2. Epicenter vs. Hypocenter During an earthquake, you often hear about the epicenter and hypocenter. The epicenter is the point on the Earth's surface directly above the hypocenter, which is also known as the focus. So, while the epicenter is the location we typically refer to, the hypocenter is the actual spot where the earthquake originates deep within the Earth. 3. Seismic vs. Aseismic Seismic and aseismic are terms used to describe the activity or lack thereof in a region. Seismic refers to an area that experiences frequent earthquakes, while aseismic means an area is relatively free from seismic activity. It's important to note that aseismic doesn't mean completely devoid of earthquakes, but rather having a significantly lower occurrence. 4. P Wave vs. S Wave When an earthquake occurs, it generates different types of waves. P waves, also known as primary waves, are the fastest and can travel through both solids and liquids.