Seismology (/saɪzˈmɒlədʒi/) is the scientific study of earthquakes and the propagation of elastic waves through the Earth or through other planet-like bodies. The field also includes studies of earthquake effects, such as tsunamis as well as diverse seismic sources such as volcanic, tectonic, oceanic, atmospheric, and artificial processes (such as explosions). A related field that uses geology to infer information regarding past earthquakes is paleoseismology. A recording of earth motion as a function of time is called a seismogram.
Seismic waves are elastic waves that propagate in solid or fluid materials. They can be divided into body waves that travel through the interior of the materials; surface waves that travel along surfaces or interfaces between materials; and normal modes, a form of standing wave.
There are two types of body wave, P-waves and S-waves (both body waves). Pressure waves or Primary waves (P-waves), are longitudinal waves that involve compression and rarefaction (expansion) in the direction that the wave is traveling. P-waves are the fastest waves in solids and are therefore the first waves to appear on a seismogram. S-waves, also called shear or secondary waves, are transverse waves that involve motion perpendicular to the direction of propagation. S-waves appear later than P-waves on a seismogram. Fluids cannot support this perpendicular motion, or shear, so S-waves only travel in solids. P-waves travel in both solids and fluids.
Plot
INTER SCI climatologist Dr. David Kotzman has evidence that a shift in the Earth's polarity triggered the last Ice Age...in a single day. Now, it's happening again, and there's no time to escape. As the temperature plummets, Miami is blasted with snow and ice. Evacuation routes are jammed. The only chance David, his old flame Bryn, and a few other hopeful survivors have is to hole themselves up in a special chamber at INTER SCI. A desperate race for survival is ignited as nature's fury rages and the temperature plunges toward -459.67° F...ABSOLUTE ZERO!
Keywords: ancient-corpse, arctic, beach, bird-migration, blizzard, card-key, cgi, chasm, climatologist, countdown
No Warning. No Time. No Escape. Miami's Never Been So Cold.
[frequently uttered line]::David: Science is never wrong.
David: It's time to throw out all the history books and rewrite everything ever written about the ice age, because science is never wrong.
David: Told you I didn't want any military at the test. You lied to me.::Dr. Veet: I think you misunderstood me, David. I agreed with you that Absolute Zero had no military consideration. I still believe that to be true.::David: Then why were they here?::Dr. Veet: Well, they're as interested in the weather as the rest of us, so why not take advantage of their very deep pockets for research and development, or would you rather I laid off some staff instead?
Dempsy: Climatology, I see you're getting acquainted with Archaeology.::Hershel: [to Davd] Dempsey here likes to call everybody by their degrees.::Dempsy: We're here for a job, gentlemen. There's no need to become emotionally invested in each other.
Jeff: [about college students] They're like new shoes. Hurts like hell when you first get them but soon you find they get quite comfortable.
Dr. Veet: Isn't it fantastic the power that fear has over a government official's checkbook this close to an election?
Phillip: You got any family?::AJ Carmichael: Nope. It's a long story. I had a parakeet once.
AJ Carmichael: [covering Sophie's ears] I don't think we should talk about D-E-A-T-H in front of the K-I-D.::Bryn: The K-I-D is the Miami County spelling bee champion.
Bryn: You have no idea what it feels like to be terrified.::David: Yes, I do.::Bryn: Name one time.::David: Ten years ago.::Bryn: You walked away from me.::David: Yes, I did, because I was scared. I was terrified, and I should have taken the chance... to tell you then that I loved you. That I love you.