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What is an Earthquake?
An earthquake is a sudden violent shaking of the ground, typically causing great destruction, as a result of movements within the earth's crust or a volcanic eruption.
An earthquake is a sudden violent shaking of the ground, typically causing great destruction, as a result of movements within the earth's crust or a volcanic eruption.
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Where Do Most Earthquakes Occur?
‘No part of Earth's surface is free from earthquakes, but some regions experience them more frequently. They are most common at tectonic plate boundaries where different plates meet. The largest events usually happen where two plates are colliding, or colliding and sliding past one another, particularly around the edge of the Pacific Plate, for example in New Zealand, Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Japan and the Americas, and in Indonesia, where the Indo-Australian Plate collides with the Eurasian Plate.’ (http://www.ga.gov.au/hazards/earthquakes/earthquakebasics/causes.html)
‘No part of Earth's surface is free from earthquakes, but some regions experience them more frequently. They are most common at tectonic plate boundaries where different plates meet. The largest events usually happen where two plates are colliding, or colliding and sliding past one another, particularly around the edge of the Pacific Plate, for example in New Zealand, Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Japan and the Americas, and in Indonesia, where the Indo-Australian Plate collides with the Eurasian Plate.’ (http://www.ga.gov.au/hazards/earthquakes/earthquakebasics/causes.html)
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What Causes an Earthquake?
‘Most earthquakes occur on the boundaries between plates, where one plate is forced under another such as happens off island chains such as Japan, Indonesia or the Solomon Islands, or past another as occurs in California and New Zealand.’ (http://www.ga.gov.au/hazards/earthquakes/earthquakebasics/causes.html)
‘Large shallow earthquakes also happen where two plates are pulling apart with the creation of new oceanic crust along mid-ocean ridges and on the transform faults that intersect them.’ (http://www.ga.gov.au/hazards/earthquakes/earthquakebasics/causes.html)
‘Most earthquakes occur on the boundaries between plates, where one plate is forced under another such as happens off island chains such as Japan, Indonesia or the Solomon Islands, or past another as occurs in California and New Zealand.’ (http://www.ga.gov.au/hazards/earthquakes/earthquakebasics/causes.html)
‘Large shallow earthquakes also happen where two plates are pulling apart with the creation of new oceanic crust along mid-ocean ridges and on the transform faults that intersect them.’ (http://www.ga.gov.au/hazards/earthquakes/earthquakebasics/causes.html)
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Why Doesn’t Every Earthquake Result in a Tsunami?
Some earthquakes cause tsunamis and some don’t. The reason is that there are certain conditions for an earthquake to cause a tsunami. These conditions are:
Some earthquakes cause tsunamis and some don’t. The reason is that there are certain conditions for an earthquake to cause a tsunami. These conditions are:
- The place of the earthquake- if the earthquake occurs close to the coastlines, a moderately strong earthquake will occur (this means that an earthquake that is 5+ on the Richter scale will cause a tsunami). However, an earthquake that occurs far out to sea, it must feature 8+ on the Richter scale to cause a tsunami.
- A tsunami needs enough water to generate. Water deeper than 600 feet/180 meters is needed for a tsunami to occur.
- The earthquake will generally occur along a subduction zone.
Facts About Earthquakes
Here are some interesting facts about earthquakes (taken from https://www.dosomething.org/facts/11-facts-about-earthquakes):
Here are some interesting facts about earthquakes (taken from https://www.dosomething.org/facts/11-facts-about-earthquakes):
- Each year the southern California area has about 10,000 earthquakes -- the majority of which go unnoticed. However, if there is a large earthquake the aftershock sequence will produce many more earthquakes of all magnitudes for months.
- Almost 80% of all the planet's earthquakes occur along the rim of the Pacific Ocean, called the "Ring of Fire"; a region that encircles the Pacific Ocean and is home to 452 volcanoes (over 75% of the world's active and dormant volcanoes).
- Alaska is the most earthquake-prone state.
- The largest recorded earthquake in the United States was a magnitude 9.2 that struck Prince William Sound, Alaska on March 28, 1964.
- The largest recorded earthquake in the world was a magnitude 9.5 in Chile on May 22, 1960.
- Normally, it's not the shaking ground itself that claims lives during an earthquake. It's the associated destruction of man-made structures.
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How to Predict an Earthquake is Coming
Observe the behaviour of animals, the following behaviours may be an indication of an impending earthquake:
Note: If any of these signs occur and you feel unsafe get out of the building you are in and walk away from tall buildings staying low to the ground. Evacuate friends and family at the safe time if possible (it is better to be safe than sorry).
Observe the behaviour of animals, the following behaviours may be an indication of an impending earthquake:
- If your dog or cat is behaving oddly such as biting, barking or running around excessively be cautious of an earthquake.
- If your fish is hiding and cowering more than usual.
- If all your hens have stopped laying at once.
- If a lot of the neighbourhood animals go missing at the same time.
Note: If any of these signs occur and you feel unsafe get out of the building you are in and walk away from tall buildings staying low to the ground. Evacuate friends and family at the safe time if possible (it is better to be safe than sorry).
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Safety Instructions For Earthquakes
In the case of an earthquake you should:
In the case of an earthquake you should:
- Go outside.
- Stay low to the ground.
- Move away from tall buildings.
- Bring loved ones, pets and valuables with you.
- Help those around you.
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Safety Instructions For Tsunamis
In case of an tsunami you should:
In case of an tsunami you should:
- Follow all instructions from safety officials, broadcasts and people who have experienced tsunamis before
- Grab a few valuable possessions but nothing that will weigh you down.
- Collect loved ones and pets (your pets may go missing due to animal instinct detecting the tsunami, do not go looking for your pet because you will not find it and it will waste too much town).
- Travel inland immediately and quickly.
- Get to the highest ground possible, a hill or sturdy tree will do.
- Try to not become separated from your loved ones especially children as it will be hard to find them in the chaos later.