Earthquakes, Volcanoes, and Tsunamis

Earthquakes Fault: a break in the Earth’s crust. Blocks of the crust slide past each other along fault lines. When rocks that are under stress suddenly break, a series of ground vibrations is set off. These vibrations are known as earthquakes. Earthquakes are occurring all the time.

Focus & Epicenter The point beneath the surface where the rocks break and move is called the focus. The focus is the underground origin of an earthquake. Directly above the focus, on the Earth’s surface is the epicenter. Earthquake waves reach the epicenter first. During an earthquake, the most violent shaking is found at the epicenter.

Seismologists Seismologists study earthquakes. They can determine the strength of an earthquake by the height of the wavy line recorded on the paper. The seismograph record of waves is called a seismogram. The Richter scale is used to calculate the strength of an earthquake.

The Richter Scale Used by scientists to quantify the amount of energy released by an earthquake. Magnitude: The measure of the energy released by an earthquake. The scale goes from 1.0 to Each increase of magnitude by one whole number is ten times greater and releases 31.7 times more energy than the whole number below it.

The Seismograph A weight attached to a spring remains nearly still even when the Earth moves. A pen attached to the weight records any movement on a roll of paper on a constantly rotating drum. The drum moves with the Earth and affects the line.

Tsunamis Earthquakes which occur on the ocean floor produce giant sea waves called tsunamis. Tsunamis can travel at speeds of 700 to 800 km per hour. As they approach the coast, they can reach heights of greater than 20 meters.

How a Tsunami Forms

Volcanoes A volcano is a mountain built from magma. Magma: melted rock that found beneath the surface of the earth (called lava when above earth’s surface) Located near tectonic plate boundaries where plates are sliding or separating from one another. May occur on the land or under sea.

Formation of a Volcano

Volcanic Eruptions A volcano erupts when the pressure of the magma inside becomes so great that it blows open the solid surface of the volcano. Some volcanoes have magma flowing out of them all the time so the pressure never builds up and they never erupt.

Local Effects of Volcano Eruptions Volcanic eruptions can be devastating to local economies and can cause great human loss. Clouds of hot ash, dust, and gases can flow down the slope of a volcano up to 200 km/hour and sear everything in their path. Volcanic ash can mix with water and produce a mudflow. Ash that falls to the ground can cause buildings to collapse, bury crops, damage engines, and cause breathing problems.

Types of Volcanoes Different types of volcanic eruptions form different types of volcanoes. Cinder cones Shield volcanoes Composite volcanoes

Global Effects of Volcano Eruptions Can change Earth’s climate for several years. Clouds of volcanic ash and sulfur-rich gases can reach the upper atmosphere. **Iceland Ash and gas spread across the planet and reduce the amount of sunlight that reaches the Earth’s surface. Reduced sunlight can result in a decrease in the average global temperature over a period of several years.

Three Types

Cinder Cones Volcanoes made mostly of cinders and other rock particles that have been blown into the air are called cinder cones. Cinder cones form from explosive eruptions. Because the material is loosely arranged, the cones are not high. The have a narrow base and steep sides such as Paricutin in Mexico.

Cinder Cone Volcano

Shield Volcanoes Volcanoes composed of quiet flows are called shield volcanoes. Because it is rummy, the lava flows over a large area. After several eruptions, a dome-shaped mountain is formed such as Mauna Loa (4km over sea level) in the Hawaiian Islands.

Shield Volcanoes

Composite Volcanoes Volcanoes built up of alternating layers of rock particles and lava are called composite volcanoes. During the formation of a composite volcano, a violent eruption first occurs, hurling volcanic bombs, cinder and ash out of the vent. Then a quiet eruption, produces lava flow that covers the rock particles. After alternating eruptions, a cone-shaped mountain forms such as Mount Vesuvius.

Composite Volcano

Ring of Fire One major earthquake and volcano zone extends nearly all the way around the edge of the Pacific Ocean. This zone goes through New Zealand, the Philippines, Japan, Alaska and along the western coasts of North and South America. The San Andreas fault is part of this zone.

Earthquake Belts