Earthquake Science: Tectonics, Mechanics, and Seismic Waves

This course is part of Earthquakes Specialization

Instructor: Susan Y. Schwartz

Included with Learn more

5 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Beginner level

Recommended experience

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

5 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Beginner level

Recommended experience

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

Apply plate tectonics, stress, and friction concepts to explain why and where earthquakes occur on different faults.
Analyze seismograms using math and USGS data to locate earthquakes and determine their size.
Use focal mechanisms to differentiate magnitude, intensity, and seismic moment during fault rupture.

Skills you'll gain

Tools you'll learn

Geographic Information Systems

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This course is part of the Earthquakes Specialization

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.

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There are 5 modules in this course

This course introduces the fundamental mechanics of plate tectonics, fault physics, and seismic wave propagation. You will examine the structure of the Earth, tectonic plate motions, and fault systems while reinforcing essential quantitative skills in unit conversions and rate-distance-time relationships. You will also explore fault mechanics, seismic waves, and location techniques before investigating earthquake rupture processes, focal mechanisms, and the key distinctions between earthquake intensity, magnitude, and seismic moment. Activities and assessments will support your ability to use the IRIS Earthquake Browser, read focal mechanisms and intensity maps, and connect earthquake concepts with quantitative evidence.

This module contains introductory materials to prepare you for the course, including information about instructors and essential course documents like the syllabus.

What's included

1 video5 readings

This module covers topics such as Plate Tectonics, Faults, and Earth Structure. It also focuses on developing skills in the Metric System and understanding relationships between distance, rate, and time.

What's included

4 videos5 readings3 assignments

4 videosTotal 34 minutes

🎥 Lecture: Plate Tectonics8 minutes
🎥 Lecture: Plate Boundaries14 minutes
🎥 Lecture: Faulting at Plate Boundaries6 minutes
🎥 Layers of the Earth6 minutes

5 readingsTotal 50 minutes

⭐️ Module 2 Overview15 minutes
📖 Using the IRIS Earthquake Browser10 minutes
📖 Understanding Plate Motions (USGS)10 minutes
🗺️ Interactive Plate Tectonic Map10 minutes
🎥 Plate Boundary Animations5 minutes

3 assignmentsTotal 93 minutes

❓ Module 2 Math Quiz18 minutes
✍️ Module 2 Activity60 minutes
❓ Module 2 Exit Quiz15 minutes

This module delves into Forces, Friction, Stress, and Strain, including the concepts of Stick-Slip versus Stable Sliding (Creep). It reinforces skills in unit conversions, reading graphs, and understanding distance, rate, and time relationships.

What's included

3 videos2 readings3 assignments

3 videosTotal 58 minutes

🎥 Lecture: Faults, Forces, and Friction12 minutes
🎥 Lecture: Forces, Stress and Strain26 minutes
🎥 Lecture: Friction20 minutes

2 readingsTotal 25 minutes

⭐️ Module 3 Overview15 minutes
🎥 Elastic Rebound Explained10 minutes

3 assignmentsTotal 84 minutes

❓ Module 3 Math Quiz30 minutes
✍️ Module 3 Activity39 minutes
❓ Module 3 Exit Quiz15 minutes

This module focuses on Seismic Waves and methods for Locating Earthquakes. It builds skills in using logarithms, log-log graphs, and triangulation, including the use of Google Earth for earthquake location.

What's included

3 videos1 reading2 assignments

This module explores Earthquake Rupture, Earthquake Size (Intensity, Magnitude, and Moment), and Focal Mechanisms. It develops skills in using logarithms and interpreting log-log graphs.

What's included

4 videos4 readings3 assignments

4 videosTotal 62 minutes

🎥 Lecture: Earthquake Parameter Intensity and Moment11 minutes
🎥 Lecture: Earthquake, Parameter Magnitude and Moment32 minutes
🎥 Lecture: Earthquake Parameter Focal Mechanisms13 minutes
🎥 Moment Magnitude Explained6 minutes

4 readingsTotal 40 minutes

⭐️ Module 5 Overview15 minutes
📚 Logarithms10 minutes
📖 Focal Mechanisms Explained5 minutes
🎥 Prepare for Module 5 Activity10 minutes

3 assignmentsTotal 48 minutes

❓ Module 5 Math Quiz6 minutes
✍️ Module 5 Activity30 minutes
❓ Module 5 Exit Quiz12 minutes

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Instructor

Susan Y. Schwartz

University of California, Santa Cruz

3 Courses3 learners

Offered by

University of California, Santa Cruz

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Earthquake Science: Tectonics, Mechanics, and Seismic Waves

Earthquake Science: Tectonics, Mechanics, and Seismic Waves

What you'll learn

Skills you'll gain

Tools you'll learn

Details to know

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

Build your subject-matter expertise

There are 5 modules in this course

Before You Start the Course 🐈

What's included

Plate Tectonics and Faults

What's included

Earthquakes, Forces and Friction

What's included

Seismic Waves & Earthquake Location

What's included

Earthquake Parameters

What's included

Earn a career certificate

Instructor

Offered by

Explore more from Environmental Science and Sustainability

Seismology to Earthquake Engineering

Planet Earth...and You!

Fundamentals of waves and vibrations

Physics Fundamentals: Oscillations and Waves

Why people choose Coursera for their career

Felipe M.

Jennifer J.

Larry W.

Chaitanya A.

Unlock access to 10,000+ courses with a subscription

Advance your career with an online degree

Join over 4,700 global companies that choose Coursera for Business

Frequently asked questions

When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?

What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?

Is financial aid available?

More questions