Science Volcanoes & Earthquakesusually ages 11–13

Seismic Waves & Earth's Interior

Distinguish between P-waves (compression, travel through solids and liquids) and S-waves (shear, cannot pass through liquids); explain why a seismic shadow zone exists on the far side of an earthquake; describe how seismologists use wave refraction and reflection to infer that Earth has a solid inner core, liquid outer core, mantle, and crust

Try this together

Can your child explain how scientists know Earth has a liquid outer core if nobody has ever drilled that deep — what clues do earthquake waves give us about Earth's hidden interior?

Where this sits on the map

Stuck here? Check the skills it builds on first. Confident? Here’s what it unlocks.

Builds on

Measuring Earthquake Strengthages 9–11Seismic wave types and Earth interior depends on seismometer and earthquake measurement concepts

Seismic Waves & Earth's Interiorthis skill · ages 11–13

Unlocks

How Tectonic Plates Moveages 11–12Plate tectonics framework is prerequisite for understanding why seismic waves reveal Earth structure at boundaries

Supervolcanoes & Volcanic Winterages 12–13Understanding supervolcano magma chamber dynamics depends on seismic wave concepts and Earth's interior structure

Drawing conclusions from evidence (age 12+)ages 12–13KS3 drawing conclusions from evidence supports the inference process seismologists use to map Earth's interior from wave data

solid = must come firstdashed = helps

Curriculum alignment

Candidate matches to official curriculum codes — machine-suggested, unreviewed (v0.1).

This skill sits outside the F–6 Australian Curriculum — no candidate code matched (v0.1). No NSW K–6 outcome code matched (v0.1). No Victorian Curriculum 2.0 code matched (v0.1).

Nearby on the map

How Tectonic Plates Moveages 11–12 Hazard Assessment & Evacuationages 12–14 Supervolcanoes & Volcanic Winterages 12–13 Earthquake-Resistant Designages 9–11

All Volcanoes & Earthquakes skills →