Earthquakes Flashcards
What is an earthquake?
Earthquakes are the sudden violent shaking of the ground
Why do earthquakes happen?
Because the earths plates are always moving
What is the point inside the earths crust we’re the earthquake originates from called?
The focus
What is the point called on the surface of the earths crust directly above the focus?
The epicentre
What is earthquakes energy released in
Released in seismic waves
What are the smaller earthquakes called after the main earthquake?
Aftershocks
What device is used to measure earthquakes?
Seismometers
How do scientists record the shaking
As waves on graphs to determine how much energy is released
What scale is used with earthquakes
The Richter scale
What is the amount of energy from a earthquake known as
Magnitude
What are some risk factors of earthquake damage
Gas pipes broken causing fire
Electrical cables damaged causing fire
Earths movement causing bridges to collapse
Landslides
Large trees fall
Can earthquakes be predicted?
They cannot accurately be predicted!
What are some preparations for earthquakes
Earthquake resistant buildings
Emergency plans
Tsunami warnings
What tools can be used to try and predict earthquakes
Lasers measuring tiny movements of plates
Seismometers measuring treamours
