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Waves

What causes Earthquakes?

Earthquakes are caused by tectonic activity.

What type of Waves are made by Earthquakes?

Earthquakes produce waves called seismic waves
(pronounced "size-mick waves").
These waves are measured by an instrument called
a seismograph or seismometer.

Three types of wave are produced by earthquakes.

One type of wave moves along the surface of the
Earth and can cause damage to buildings and
pipelines and can result in large numbers of casualties.

Other waves move through the Earth.
These are called P waves and S waves. These waves give
information about the structure of the inside of the planet.

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