The surface of the Earth is made of 20 constantly moving tectonic plates.
When they shift, tension is created it can cause the crust to break. When it does the stress is released quickly
it sends huge vibrations, those are called seismic waves.
I've read that the NEIC records an average of 20,000 earthquakes every year, but there are millions of earthquakes too weak to be recorded.
Magnitude ratings are assigned to earthquakes based on strength and duration of their seismic waves. 3 to 5 is considered minor or light, 5-7 is moderate to strong 7 to 8 is major, and 8 or more is great.
The largest recorded earthquake was a magnitude 9.5 in Chile on May 22, 1960.
Apparently the seismic waves traveled around the world, for many days.
What I find quite interesting is how it's not the earthquake itself that claims lives, it's the man made structures that do.
Probably the worst thing that comes down with an earthquake is a tsunami, which as I said in my previous post one of the most dangerous natural disasters. Which in a way, could make an earthquake one of the most dangerous things too! For example the undersea earthquake in the Indian Ocean triggered a tsunami in 2004. It claimed more than 225,000 lives in 11 countries. The waves were up to 100 feet high.
With earthquakes also come volcanic explosions and landslides etcetc.
So if I was to do a tsunami I'd probably begin with an earthquake, just to make it a little more interesting.
But I think that's about everything I can say about earthquakes...
it sends huge vibrations, those are called seismic waves.
I've read that the NEIC records an average of 20,000 earthquakes every year, but there are millions of earthquakes too weak to be recorded.
Magnitude ratings are assigned to earthquakes based on strength and duration of their seismic waves. 3 to 5 is considered minor or light, 5-7 is moderate to strong 7 to 8 is major, and 8 or more is great.
The largest recorded earthquake was a magnitude 9.5 in Chile on May 22, 1960.
Apparently the seismic waves traveled around the world, for many days.
What I find quite interesting is how it's not the earthquake itself that claims lives, it's the man made structures that do.
Probably the worst thing that comes down with an earthquake is a tsunami, which as I said in my previous post one of the most dangerous natural disasters. Which in a way, could make an earthquake one of the most dangerous things too! For example the undersea earthquake in the Indian Ocean triggered a tsunami in 2004. It claimed more than 225,000 lives in 11 countries. The waves were up to 100 feet high.
With earthquakes also come volcanic explosions and landslides etcetc.
So if I was to do a tsunami I'd probably begin with an earthquake, just to make it a little more interesting.
But I think that's about everything I can say about earthquakes...
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