Video Transcript
Which of the following best
describes seismic waves? (A) Waves of energy that are
generated from a sound source. (B) Waves of energy that are
generated from a sudden breaking of rocks within Earth. (C) Waves of energy that are
emitted from a light source, such as the Sun. (D) Waves of energy that are
generated in a magnetic or electric field. (E) Waves of energy that are
generated in an ocean by the wind.
The word seismic comes from the
Greek seismos meaning shock or earthquake. The most common earthquakes are
tectonic earthquakes that can occur along faults and along plate boundaries. Tectonic earthquakes occur when
there is a sudden dislocation of rocks in the crust or upper mantle, causing the
rocks to fracture or slip. This results in vibrations that
travel through Earth’s crust.
The waves of energy that travel
through Earth as a result of an earthquake are called seismic waves. So, seismic waves are a result of
earthquakes, which are caused by the sudden dislocation of rocks within Earth. Therefore, seismic waves can be
described as waves of energy that are generated from a sudden breaking of rocks
within Earth.
