Earthquakes

Like volcanoes, earthquakes can change the earth’s surface.

An earthquake is a shaking or sliding parts of the earth’s surface.

The earth’s crust is like a jig-saw puzzle, broken into many pieces called tectonic plates.

These tectonic plates are constantly moving, but they move so slow that we can’t feel it.

At times the tectonic plates slide over one another or hit into one another, causing the earth to shake. This shaking is an earthquake.

Most earthquakes happen along faults Most earthquakes happen along faults. A fault line is the place where two tectonic plates meet.

An earthquake’s shaking can make new cracks appear on Earth’s surface An earthquake’s shaking can make new cracks appear on Earth’s surface. It can also cause landslides.

The epicenter is the place on Earth’s surface above where the earthquake begins. The closer you are to the epicenter, the more you feel the earthquake.

Cause and Effect What causes an earthquake’s vibrations? Earthquake’s vibrations happen when the tectonic plates of the Earth move against each other.

Compare and Contrast Select two landforms Compare and Contrast Select two landforms. What is alike and different about them? Answers may vary.

Recall How can forces beneath Earth’s crust cause changes on Earth’s surface? Forces beneath Earth’s crust can make new cracks and can cause landslides on Earth’s surface.

List Investigate names of 3 different landforms in Perú List Investigate names of 3 different landforms in Perú. Write them below. Type of Landform Name Volcano El Misti, Arequipa