Earthquakes

Earthquakes

I have learned a lot about earthquakes these past few weeks. For instance, I had no clue that earthquakes and volcanoes were related. Among the many things I learned, here are a few of the most important things.

What is an Earthquake? - An earthquake is a shaking of the ground caused by the sudden shifting of large sections of the earth's crust. Earthquakes are one of the most powerful events on earth, and they can be terrifying. A severe earthquake may release energy 10,000 times as great as that of the first atomic bomb. Rock movements during an earthquake can make rivers change their direction. Earthquakes can trigger landslides and Volcanoes that cause great damage and loss of life. Large earthquakes beneath the ocean can create a series of huge, destructive waves called tsunamis.

Plate Tectonics - A plate is a large section of the earth's crust. Tectonics is the art or science of making things out of smaller pieces. According to scientists, seven to twelve large plates, and several smaller ones, make up the earth's crust. The earth's plates are continually moving, perhaps as much as several