located inside the earth's crust.

focus

terms Friction or drag between the plates as they grind past each Where the slabs of adjoining plates 'lock' against each oth strains energy builds up progressively until the fault fractu (seismic waves) that spread outwards from area of disloca

Energy released A violent shock within the earth, re i.e. magnitude huge amount s of energy as shockwaves or s on richter scale. *severity ground movement of E.Q. measured 12- pt mercalli scale.

1. Body waves are transmitted upwards f

P-waves:primary or pressure waves cause 2. Surface waves are produced in the ground by transformation of some body of waves once they reach the surface (these cause most damage to buildings and other structures as it makes the ground to move both vertically & horizontally)

through rocks, gases & liquids. It is fastes

S-waves: secondary or shear waves trave

They make the ground to move vertically

These waves only travel through solid ma

Distribution of Earthquake

1.

Circum-Pacific Earthquake Belt: this includes all the coastal areas around the vast Pacific ocean. This belt extends as an isost Alaska. Aleutian islands, Japan, Philippines, New Zealand North and South America. This zone accounts for 68% of all the eart most talked about earthquake areas in this zone include Japan, Chile, California and Mexico. (Pacific ring of fire is an area where a large numb volcanic eruptions occur in the basin of the Pacific Ocean) Mediterranean-Asia Earthquake belt: This belt begins from Alps mountain system and passes through Turkey, Caucasus ranges, Iran, Tibet to China. One of its branches passes through Mongolia and Lake Baikal and another branch extends to Myanmar. About 31% located in this region. Other areas: These include Northerm Africa and Rift Valley areas of Red Sea and Dead Sea. In addition to these the ocean ridg

2.

3.

Prediction & monitoring Where occur distribution fault lines (plate margins) When occur Difficult to predict (although there is clue from previous patterns & frequencies) How big will it be (size) difficult to predict

Reliable predictions 1. measurement of small-scale ground surface changes 2. small-scale uplift of subsidence 3. Ground tilt 4. Changes in rock stress 5. Micro-earthquake activity (clusters of small quakes) 6. Anomalies in the earth's magnetic field 7.changes in randon gas concentrations 8. changes in electrical resistivity rocks

(on surface, directly above focus) the point where an earthquake origin epicentre

Case studies 1. Mexico 2. Japan

plates as they grind past each other. plates 'lock' against each other for a period of years, ressively until the fault fractures released powerful shock waves utwards from area of dislocation, known as focus. cause/how it occurs? ent shock within the earth, releasing of energy as shockwaves or seismic waves What? EARTHQUAKE Effects Amount of loss & damage associated with E.Q depends on factors: 1. Popn density; more people means more victims 2. Strenght EQ, the stronger the EQ the greater the damage. 3. building material; EQ. proof or not 4. Distance from epicentre, the closer the greater the damage, less warning time. 5. type of rocks and sediments-loose, unconsolidated material are liable to liquefy. 6. secondary hazard; mudslides and tsunami-cause more damage than EQ itself.

Seismograph How measured?

The study of earthquake waves is called seismology. -Seismographs are the instruments used to record earthquake waves. How? -A weight is freely suspended from a support that is attached to bedrock -When the seismic waves from a distant earthquake reach the seismograph, the inertia of the weight keeps it stationary while Earth and the support vibrate. -The movement of Earth in relation to the stationary weight is recorded on a rotating drum. -The seismograph amplifies and records the ground motion. -This recording of information is called a seismogram and it provides a lot of information about the behaviour of the seismic waves. -Seismograms show that two main types of seismic waves are generated when there is a slippage in a fault zone. These are surface and body waves

Body waves are transmitted upwards from the centre of EQ. (P-waves & S- waves)

waves:primary or pressure waves cause back and forward movement compressing & expanding

ough rocks, gases & liquids. It is fastes waves (6-13 km a second) and reach the surface first)

waves: secondary or shear waves travelled with a side to side motion.

hey make the ground to move vertically.

ese waves only travel through solid material and are slower (3-7km a second) than P-waves.

Hazard management (Guatemala)

elt extends as an isostatically sensitive zone through the coasts of for 68% of all the earthquakes on the surface of the earth. The is an area where a large number of earthquakes and

Turkey, Caucasus ranges, Iran, Iraq, Himalayan mountain and ds to Myanmar. About 31% of the worlds earthquakes are

to these the ocean ridges are also active earthquake zones.

How big will it be (size) fficult to predict

ace changes

Best policy 1.learn to live & cope with consequences 2. developed aim to reduce effect & thus save lives, building & money

Earthquake hazards management 1. Although they can predict when a fault was about to slip, but can't predict magnitude of EQ. 2.The only way is to minimise effect in high risk areas. (a) Building design to withstand EQ e.g. Steel frames in building able to sway & bricks not used because the danger when it fall. (b) behind buildings -open space area for evacuation. (c ) Hazard mapping of E.Q. zone- high risk areas allow land use zoning area, planning authorities control where building can take place. (d) Ground material; solid foundation best area and avoid clay -building collapse due to liquefaction. (San Francisco Quake collapse because build marian district, relaimed land & Tokyo large area of city are built on river delta mud or reclaimed lnd) (e) Preparedness; private companies & individuals prepare for dangers they face (leaflets & advice given) E.g. Japan 'Disaster Day' celebrated every sept 1st, poster & media given to public to remind what to do in a quake.(make furniture secure, put out fire switch off gas supplies & remain calm)

w measured?

quake waves is called the instruments used

suspended from a ached to bedrock. waves from a distant the seismograph, the ht keeps it stationary e support vibrate. Earth in relation to ght is recorded on a

amplifies and records

information is called a provides a lot of the behaviour of the

w that two main types re generated when in a fault zone. and body waves.

dict when a

mise effect

ing able to

en space area

.Q. zone- high zoning area,

d foundation

lapse because aimed land &

e companies r dangers they

media given

ecure, put out fire remain calm)