ELEMENTS OF SEISMOLOGY

SEISMOLOGY
-the study of earthquake engineering requires an understanding of the various process by
which earthquakes occur and their effects on ground motion.
-study of the generation, propagation and measurement of seismic waves through earth
and the sources that generate them.
From Greek word:
Seismos earthquake

Logos - science

Internal Earth Structure

CRUST

outermost layer
of
the
earth;
thinner than any
of the other layer
and is composed
of the least dense
calcium (Ca) and
sodium
(Na)
aluminum-silicate
minerals.

Internal Earth Structure

MANTLE most of the
earths mass is in the
mantle,
which
is
composed of iron (Fe),
magnesium
(Mg),
aluminum (Al), silicon
(Si) and oxygen (O)
silicate compounds. At
over 1000 degrees
Celsius, the mantle is
solid but can deform
slowly in a plastic
manner.

Internal Earth Structure

CORE
Outer core the core
is mostly composed of
iron (Fe) that the
outer core is molten,
with
about
10%
sulphur (S).
Inner
Core

composed of nickeliron
material
compressed
under
extreme
pressure
such that it remains
solid.

Theory of Continental Drift

Theory of Continental Drift

Theory of Plate Tectonics

Theory of Plate Tectonics

Plate Boundaries Movement

The lateral movement of the plates is mainly at the speeds of 50100 mm annually.
Earthquakes, volcanoes, mountain and oceanic trench formation
normally occur along these boundaries.
Three distinct types of plate boundaries have been identified, and understanding
the movement associated with each other will aid in the understanding of plate
tectonics.
The characteristics of the plate boundaries also influence the nature of the
earthquake that occur along them.

Plate Boundaries Movement

A. Spreading Ridge Boundaries

Also
divergent
boundaries.

called

Plate Boundaries Movement

B. Convergent Boundaries

1. Subduction Boundaries

Plate Boundaries Movement

B. Convergent Boundaries

2. Collision Boundaries

Plate Boundaries Movement

C. Transform Boundaries

PROPAGATION OF SEISMIC
DISTURBANCES

Geometric Notation

For most earthquakes, shaking is the dominant

and most widespread agent of damage.
When an Earthquake occurs, different
types of seismic waves are produced.

Energy is radiated over a broad spectrum

of frequencies through the earth, in body
waves and surface waves.

A.Body waves are waves which can travel through the

interior of the earth.
1. P waves means transmitting energy via push-pull
motion
- Also known as primary, compression, or longitudinal
waves and can travel through solids and fluids.
2. S waves means transmitting energy via shear
action at right angles to the direction of motion
- Also known as secondary, shear, or transverse
waves

P wave's motion is the same as that of sound wave in

that, as it spreads out, it alternatively pushes
(compresses) and pulls (dilates) the rock.
These P waves are able to travel through both solid
rocks, such as volcanic magma or the water of the
oceans.

As an S waves propagates, it shears the rock sideways

at right angles to the direction of travel. If a liquid is
sheared sideways or twisted, it will not spring back,
hence S waves cannot propagate in the liquid parts of
the earth, such as oceans and lakes

B. Surface waves are waves that result from the

interaction between body waves and the surface and
artificial layers of the earth.
- they travel along earths surface with amplitudes that
increase roughly exponential with depth.
1.Love
waves
means
horizontally
(analogous to body s waves)

oscillating

- Have no vertical components of particle motion

- Moves the ground from side to side
2.Rayleigh waves means vertically oscillating.
- involves both vertical and horizontal particle
motion.

Love waves moves the ground from side to side in a

horizontal plane but at right angles to the direction of
propagation. The horizontal shaking of Love waves is
damaging to structures.

Rayleigh waves moves similar to rolling ocean waves.

Surface waves travel more slowly than body waves

Love waves generally travel faster than Rayleigh
waves.
Love waves (don not propagate through water) can
effect surface water only insofar as the sides of lakes
and ocean bays pushing water sideways,
whereas Rayleigh waves, because of the vertical
component of their motion can affect the bodies of
water such as lakes.

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