Background: Geologists study earthquake waves to “see” Earth's interior. Waves of energy radiate out from an earthquake’s focus. These waves are called seismic waves ( Figure below ). Seismic waves go different speeds through different materials. They change speed when they go from one type of material to another. This causes them to bend. Some seismic waves do not travel through liquids or gases. They just stop. Scientists use information from seismic waves to understand what makes up the Earth’s interior.

Situation: A team of geologists studied two islands. Large island had a lot of seismic activity, and Small island that presented almost no seismic activity.

Question: Which island displayed more waves of energy radiating out from an earthquake’s focus?
Answer: Large

Situation: A team of geologists studied two islands. Large island had a lot of seismic activity, and Small island that presented almost no seismic activity.

Question: Which island displayed fewer waves of energy radiating out from an earthquake’s focus?
Answer: Small

Situation: A team of geologists studied two islands. Large island had a lot of seismic activity, and Small island that presented almost no seismic activity.

Question: Which island displayed fewer seismic waves?
Answer: Small

Situation: A team of geologists studied two islands. Large island had a lot of seismic activity, and Small island that presented almost no seismic activity.

Question: Which island displayed more seismic waves?
Answer: Large

Situation: A team of geologists studied two islands. Large island had a lot of seismic activity, and Small island that presented almost no seismic activity.

Question: Which island displayed more seismic waves going different speeds through different materials?
Answer: Large

Situation: A team of geologists studied two islands. Large island had a lot of seismic activity, and Small island that presented almost no seismic activity.

Question: Which island displayed fewer seismic waves going different speeds through different materials?
Answer: Small

Situation: A team of geologists studied two islands. Large island had a lot of seismic activity, and Small island that presented almost no seismic activity.

Question: Which island displayed fewer seismic wave bending?
Answer: Small

Situation: A team of geologists studied two islands. Large island had a lot of seismic activity, and Small island that presented almost no seismic activity.

Question: Which island displayed more seismic wave bending?
Answer: Large

Situation: A team of geologists studied two islands. Large island had a lot of seismic activity, and Small island that presented almost no seismic activity.

Question: Which island provided the scientists with more info about what makes up the Earth’s interior?
Answer: Large

Situation: A team of geologists studied two islands. Large island had a lot of seismic activity, and Small island that presented almost no seismic activity.

Question: Which island provided the scientists with less info about what makes up the Earth’s interior?
Answer: Small

Situation: Two friends met after 20 years and had a beer together. Vlad was a geologist and studied earthquakes. Mort was a pedologist and studied soils. They had some interesting conversations that night.

Question: Which friend studied more about earthquake waves?
Answer: Vlad

Situation: Two friends met after 20 years and had a beer together. Vlad was a geologist and studied earthquakes. Mort was a pedologist and studied soils. They had some interesting conversations that night.

Question: Which friend studied less about earthquake waves?
Answer: Mort

Situation: Two friends met after 20 years and had a beer together. Vlad was a geologist and studied earthquakes. Mort was a pedologist and studied soils. They had some interesting conversations that night.

Question: Which friend studied less about seismic waves?
Answer: Mort

Situation: Two friends met after 20 years and had a beer together. Vlad was a geologist and studied earthquakes. Mort was a pedologist and studied soils. They had some interesting conversations that night.

Question: Which friend studied more about seismic waves?
Answer: Vlad

Situation: Two friends met after 20 years and had a beer together. Vlad was a geologist and studied earthquakes. Mort was a pedologist and studied soils. They had some interesting conversations that night.

Question: Which friend studied more about seismic waves going different speeds through different materials?
Answer: Vlad

Situation: Two friends met after 20 years and had a beer together. Vlad was a geologist and studied earthquakes. Mort was a pedologist and studied soils. They had some interesting conversations that night.

Question: Which friend studied less about seismic waves going different speeds through different materials?
Answer: Mort

Situation: Two friends met after 20 years and had a beer together. Vlad was a geologist and studied earthquakes. Mort was a pedologist and studied soils. They had some interesting conversations that night.

Question: Which friend studied less about waves of energy radiating out from an earthquake’s focus?
Answer: Mort

Situation: Two friends met after 20 years and had a beer together. Vlad was a geologist and studied earthquakes. Mort was a pedologist and studied soils. They had some interesting conversations that night.

Question: Which friend studied more about waves of energy radiating out from an earthquake’s focus?
Answer: Vlad

Situation: Two friends met after 20 years and had a beer together. Vlad was a geologist and studied earthquakes. Mort was a pedologist and studied soils. They had some interesting conversations that night.

Question: Which friend studied more about seismic waves bending?
Answer: Vlad

Situation: Two friends met after 20 years and had a beer together. Vlad was a geologist and studied earthquakes. Mort was a pedologist and studied soils. They had some interesting conversations that night.

Question: Which friend studied less about seismic waves bending?
Answer: Mort