Exploring Earthquakes By: Dylan & Ian

How many original super continents did Wegner’s theory of continental drift assume? Wegner’s theory of continental drift assumed of one super continent called Pangea (meaning landmass).

What are the major plates that effect the United States the most? The plates that effect the United States the most is the Gorda plate and the North American plate on the edge of California.

Why is there so many Earthquakes in California but Florida doesn’t? California has so many Earthquakes because California has one of the biggest faults in the United States.

What is considered the most destructive Earthquake in History? When did it occur, where was it, and what was the magnitude and how many people died? The most destructive Earthquake in history is the 1556 Shaaxi Earthquakes or Hua County Earthquake magnitude ,000 people died. It occurred the morning of January 1556 AD.

What are the three basic types of plate boundaries? The three types of plate boundaries are: Divergent Boundary: Plates that move away. Convergent Boundary: Plates that come together. Transform Boundary: Plates that split the crust and go in opposite directions.

What are tsunamis, what causes them? how fast do they travel? Tsunamis are waves caused by the displacement of water from an earthquake, they usually move about 600 mph.

What are two types of energy waves created by an earthquake, and how do they differ? Which one travels faster? The two types of energy waves are Primary waves: comes first. Secondary wave: comes second.

How much more energy is released by a 7.2 earthquake than by a 6.2 earthquake? The energy released by 7.2 earthquake is ten times more powerful than a 6.2 earthquake.

What applications does seismology have besides measuring the magnitude and location earthquakes? Seismology provides us with information on the internal structure and state of matter of the interior of the earth.

Where did most of the earthquakes happen last week? The place were most of the earthquakes happened last week was California because California is right on the north American plate and the Gordon plate.

Can scientists predict Earthquakes? Earthquake prediction is not currently not possible in the world of science right now.

How do scientists know where an earthquake actually occurred. They use data collected from seismograph stations as possible (you need at least three) and perform a calculation called triangulation. This involves using p and s wave travel times recorded at each station to find the distance of the Earthquake from each seismograph. Once you have all the data you can plot circles of the approximate radius on a map. Where all the circles meet up is the epicenter.