Neotectonics at the Jackson School of Geosciences
Seismology
Monitoring Earthquakes to Understand the Process of Fault Rupture
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When earthquakes occur, they send energy waves throughout the earth. Seismology is the study of these energy waves, the paths the waves take, and how fast they move through different rock types. |
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Scientists can study seismograms, like the one to the right to determine the type of earthquake, its size, location, and the properties of the material through which the earthquake energy passed. The energy released by larger earthquakes is recorded globally and is one of our best sources of information on the properties of the earth's mantle and core. |
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Earthquake focal mechanisms summarize the possible fault planes that moved during an earthquake and are based on the arrivals of earthquake energy at seismographs in different locations. They are particularly useful for understanding earthquakes that did not produce a fault rupture in a subaerial setting.
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