EARTHQUAKES

An earthquake is a vibration in the

earths crust produced by the rapid release
of energy within the earths crust.
The source of an earthquake is called the
focus.
The point above the focus on the crust
surface is the epicentre.

Tectonics
Revision of Tectonic processes
Plate Tectonics revision

Seismic Waves
An earthquake
generates seismic
waves/tremors that
radiate throughout the
earth.
These waves decrease
as they move further
away from the focus.

Seismic Waves

There are two types

of tremor/wave that
travel inside the
earth.
1. P wave or
Compressional wave
2. S wave of Shear
wave

Distribution of Earthquakes
The occurrence of Earthquakes is directly
associated with the theory of Plate
tectonics.
Earthquakes occur in areas of convergence
and divergence.

Earthquakes

Earthquakes Location & Depth

Earthquakes occur at ALL types of plate
boundaries/margins.
Shallow EQ mid-ocean ridges, continent
to continent and conservative.
Intermediate EQ- Oceanic to continental
plate collision.
Deep EQ- Oceanic to Oceanic

Fault Lines
Faults are large fractures
in the earths crust.
Tectonic forces deform the
crustal rock on both sides
of the fault.
Rocks are bending and
storing elastic energy
think of bending a plastic
ruler!!!

Fault Lines

Earthquake Movement
Eventually the frictional resistance holding
the rocks together is overcome.
Slippage occurs.
The slippage allows the deformed rock to
snap back.

Transform Boundary

Aftershocks
These occur post
earthquake and are as
a result of the
realignment of the
rock
Earthquakes 101

Predicting Earthquakes
Seismologist monitor
earth movements to help
them predict and
understand the forces that
give rise to earthquakes.
Through regular recording
of data they may predict
the probability of major
earthquake but not the
exact timing of it.

Earthquake intensity
Earthquake intensity is recorded by a
Richter scale.
This scale indicated the magnitude (energy
released) of the shock.
Shockwaves are recorded on a seismograph.
The Richter scale is open ended.

Recording & measuring EQs

Seismographs record the tremors of an
earthquake and the various wave types as
they occur.

Recording & measuring EQs

The Modified Mercalli Scale
This is a scale used by seismologists
collecting data from eyewitnesses at the site
of the EQ. Witnesses describe what they saw
and the intensity is measured using a
i-xii scale. It allows for the historic
measurement of EQ from newspaper reports
etc.

Recording & measuring EQs

Effects of Earthquakes

Vertical and lateral displacement of crust.

Rising or lowering of parts of the sea floor
Cause landslides
Loss of life in high density populated areas.
Railway and water pipes are damaged
Bridges collapse
Fires from gas leaks
burst sewage pipes
Liquifaction New Zealand EQ

Effects of Earthquakes

Longer term effects: (explain these!)

Migration
Disease
Economic Slowdown

Tsunamis
Where the earthquake
affects the ocean floor,
great waves known as
tsunamis or tidal
waves may spread
outwards across the
ocean at spreads of
500-800 kph and
cause great damage to
coastal areas.

 Japanese Tsunami

The Southeast Asian Earthquake and Tsunami

December 2004
Asian Tsunami
CBS Explaination

 Haiti Earthquake
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=LIFxaC23sH0

EARTHQUAKE FACTS

The largest recorded earthquake in the United States was a magnitude 9.2 that struck Prince
William Sound, Alaska on Good Friday, March 28, 1964 UTC.
The largest recorded earthquake in the world was a magnitude 9.5 (Mw) in Chile on May 22, 1960.
The earliest reported earthquake in California was felt in 1769 by the exploring expedition of
Gaspar de Portola while the group was camping about 48 kilometers (30 miles) southeast of Los
Angeles.
Before electronics allowed recordings of large earthquakes, scientists built large spring-pendulum
seismometers in an attempt to record the long-period motion produced by such quakes. The largest
one weighed about 15 tons. There is a medium-sized one three stories high in Mexico City that is still
in operation.
The average rate of motion across the San Andreas Fault Zone during the past 3 million years is 56
mm/yr (2 in/yr). This is about the same rate at which your fingernails grow. Assuming this rate
continues, scientists project that Los Angeles and San Francisco will be adjacent to one another in
approximately 15 million years.
6.The East African Rift System is a 50-60 km (31-37 miles) wide zone of active volcanics and
faulting that extends north-south in eastern Africa for more than 3000 km (1864 miles) from Ethiopia
in the north to Zambezi in the south. It is a rare example of an active continental rift zone, where a
continental plate is attempting to split into two plates which are moving away from one another.