Tag Archives: seismic waves

Why Some ‘Quake Shakes Arrive Before Others

Posted on December 22, 2015 by Ron Miksha

When a big earthquake quakes, different sorts of vibes spread through the Earth. Two of the main destructive seismic waves – the P and S – travel at different velocities.  P-waves (Primary or Pressure) will shake your dishes a few … Continue reading →

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Newton and the Speed of Sound

Posted on August 13, 2015 by Ron Miksha

Would you like to try Newton’s classic speed of sound experiment? Last month, at Trinity College in Cambridge, my 13-year-old stood at the colonnade where Newton measured the speed of sound. Just like Newton, Daniel clapped his hands once and … Continue reading →

Posted in History, How Geophysics Works | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Solid to the Core

Posted on May 13, 2015 by Ron Miksha

The Earth is like a chocolate-covered cherry. A bit bigger and harder to eat in one bite, but there are similarities. Like a cherry, the core is solid, but floats in a liquid. Next comes a thick layer of creamy … Continue reading →

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