Problem 1
Briefly describe the concept of elastic rebound. Develop an analogy other than a rubber band to illustrate this concept.
Problem 4
You go for a jog on a beach and choose to run near the water where the sand is well packed and solid under your feet. With each step, you notice that your footprint quickly fills with water but not water coming in from the ocean. What is this water's source? For what earthquake-related hazard is this phenomenon a good analogy?
Problem 5
Explain, in your own words, why a tsunami often causes a rapid withdrawal of water from beaches before the first surge.
Problem 6
Why is it possible to issue a tsunami warning but not provide a warning for an earthquake? Describe a scenario where a tsunami warning would be of little value.
Problem 8
Describe the two different ways that Earth's layers are defined.
Problem 9
S waves temporarily change the shape of the material that transmits them. Can you identify a place in Earth's interior that would not transmit S waves? Why?
Problem 10
Based on the properties of Earth's layers, and the mode of travel of body waves, predict the location in Earth's interior where waves should (a) travel fastest, and (b) travel slowest. Is there an exception for these generalities? Explain your answers.
Problem 11
Using the Internet, compare and contrast the 2010 earthquakes in Chile and Haiti. Include magnitude, type of plate boundary, and extent of destruction. Explain why the Chile earthquake produced a tsunami, while the Haiti quake did not.
