Download what is an earthquake?

EARTHQUAKE NOTES
September 12
SWBAT: define problems that may be caused by a catastrophic event resulting from plate movements and design possible devices or
solutions to minimize the effects of that event on Earth’s surface and/or human structures.
WHAT IS AN EARTHQUAKE?
Earthquakes are produced when rocks break along a _______________.
The term earthquake describes the sudden __________ on a fault and includes the ground
shaking and radiating seismic _____________ that is caused by the slip.
What Can Cause EARTHQUAKES to Occur?
Tectonic plates move toward, away and past each other causing stress.
Stress causes the rock to collapse.
This happens at:
1. Convergent Boundaries (compression)
3. Transform Boundaries (shearing)
2. Divergent Boundaries (tension)
4. _________________
1. Earthquakes occur along plate __________________ where ________________ builds
up and forms _____________ lines
•When the pressure is _________________, an earthquake occurs along the fault line.
2. Earthquakes can also occur along faults
Most earthquakes and volcanic eruptions do not strike randomly, but occur in specific
areas such as along PLATE BOUNDARIES .
Ex) Ring of Fire: known as one of the most seismically and volcanically
active zones in the world.
Stronger earthquakes are more likely
to occur along _______________
plate boundaries.
Strong earthquakes are more
common at ____________________
and __________________________
plate boundaries.
PARTS OF AN EARTHQUAKE
FAULT: a break in the rock of the earth’s
crust or mantle where an earthquake
_____________
FOCUS: the point __________ the
Earth’s surface that an earthquake’s
energy is _______________ from
EPICENTER: the point on the Earth’s
surface directly ___________ the focus
where the earthquake’s energy is the
________________
SEISMIC WAVES: _______________
of ____________ that spread outwards
from the focus of the earthquake
What Kind Of Damage Can Earthquakes Cause?
There is evidence to support the idea that tectonic activity (earthquakes, volcanoes, etc.)
contributed to the ______________ (failure/death) of ancient civilizations.
Based on the locations of current population centers, scientists have developed models that
show that populations today may be just as vulnerable to the aftereffects of powerful
earthquakes.
Earthquakes can even cause giant waves called _______________________.
Earthquakes and People:
Many population centers are located near active fault zones and/or active plate
boundaries such as the San Andreas Fault.
Millions of people in these population centers have suffered personal and
economic (money) losses due to volcanic and earthquake activity.
When exposed to sudden ______________ (side-to-side) forces earthquakes
buildings and bridges can collapse, crushing the people in and around them.
Many cities now have a lot of very tall buildings. This can pose a huge problem
if an earthquake occurs.
Luckily over the past few decades (decade=10 years), architects and engineers
have developed technologies to help these tall buildings ___________ instead
of break.
Because of these flexible buildings, the chances for survival of the people in them is greatly increased!