GEOGRAPHY

There are three main parts to an earthquake: the focus, or origin of the event; the seismic waves; and the fault along which the earthquake occurs.

There are two types of earthquakes: tectonic and volcanic earthquakes. Tectonic earthquakes are produced by sudden movement along faults and plate boundaries. Earthquakes induced by rising lava or magma beneath active volcanoes is called volcanic earthquakes.

We cannot prevent natural earthquakes from occurring but we can significantly mitigate their effects by identifying hazards, building safer structures, and providing education on earthquake safety. By preparing for natural earthquakes we can also reduce the risk from human induced earthquakes

The earliest recorded evidence of an earthquake has been traced back to 1831 BC in the Shandong province of China, but there is a fairly complete record starting in 780 BC during the Zhou Dynasty in China.

Robert Mallet realised that most earthquake damage is due to moving waves caused by a sudden land movement, named seismic waves.2

Earthquakes are the shaking, rolling or sudden shock of the Earth’s surface. They are the Earth’s natural means of releasing stress. They are caused by severe shock waves that travel through solid rocks from underground to the surface.

Ground shaking from earthquakes can cause buildings and bridges to collapse; disrupt gas, electricity, and telephone services; and sometimes trigger landslides, avalanches, flash floods, fires, and tsunami.

Three Kinds of Earthquakes Shallow fault earthquakes. A fault is a break in the rock beneath our feet. … Subduction zone earthquakes. The largest earthquakes ever recorded are subduction zone earthquakes. … Deep earthquakes. Deep earthquakes occur in the subducting ocean slab, deep beneath the continental crust.

How do Earthquakes Cause Damage Ground Shaking & Structural Failure. Ground shaking is the vibration of the ground during an earthquake. … Surface Rupture & Ground Displacement. The primary earthquake hazard is surface rupture. … Landslides. … Liquefaction. … Tsunamis. … Fires. … Earth Shaking. … Surface Rupture.

Earthquake is a name for seismic activity on Earth, but Earth isn’t the only place with seismic activity. Scientists have measured quakes on Earth’s Moon, and see evidence for seismic activity on Mars, Venus and several moons of Jupiter, too!