Geology, plate tectonics,
and earthquakes
 All earthquakes are caused by
sudden movement and pressure
in faults or cracks in the earth.
When they move, the earth’s
crust starts to shake. The shaking
causes an earthquake that is a
danger to anybody close by.
 Plate tectonics is the movement
of the crust or surface layer of
earth which is divided into plates,
and when the plates rub against
each other, it creates an
earthquake.
Seismology
 Seismologists use many different
instruments to detect
earthquakes. A few are the
seismogram, seismograph, and
also the Richter scale.
Seismographs measure the
seismic waves. Seismologists are
now trying to use seismographs to
save people’s lives by predicting
earthquakes.
 The Richter scale tells us how
powerful an earthquake is. Each
level is 30 times more powerful
than the last. It measures the
magnitude of the earthquakes.
Super quakes are when the
magnitude is 7.0+.
Damage investigators
 If there is a 2.0 earthquake, there
may be movement in hanging
objects such as pictures and
chandeliers.
 After the earthquake, damage
investigators will look at the
damage caused and try to find
ways to prevent structures from
getting destroyed.
 However in a 7.0 earthquake,
buildings can be knocked down
from their foundations and all
underground pipes would be
broken
 Herr are a few historical earth
quakes:
o The 2010 Haiti 7.0+
magnitude.
o Off the west coast off
northern Sumatra-2004 9.1
about 277,000+ deaths.
o Chile-1960 9.5 largest in the
world. 1,600 deaths.
o China -1556 estimated at 8:
830,000+ deaths.
Safety in an earthquake
 Here are a few tips to staying
safe in an earthquake:
o If outside, get away from
any buildings.
o If inside, go to a doorway to
stand under, or move under
a table
o Once the earthquake stops,
leave the building right
away.
o If in a car, stay in the car
and make sure it is away
from buildings.
o Keep an emergency kit with
flashlights, a battery radio,
and other supplies.
o Stay Calm.
o Avoid injuries.
Earthquakes are very
dangerous so if you are
ever in one, stay safe and
listen to the safety tips.
This will help you get
through a deadly
earthquake.
Do not try this:
The earthquake in Haiti destroyed homes,
buildings, schools, hospitals, and even the capital
building. The structures were not very well built so
the 7.0+ shake caused a lot of damage and effected
many people and families lives. People all over Haiti
are now poor and homeless and need major aids.
That shows how a 7.0 earthquake can destroy cities
and towns, but luckily a 9.0 quake didn’t hit there.
That would have caused an insane amount of
damage.
QuakeTown:
Earthquakes
and Staying
Safe!