1. Earthquakes and Plate Tectonics
Earthquakes are vibrations in the Earth’s crust.

2. What Causes Earthquakes?
Vibrations of the earth’s crust
Usually occurs when rocks under stress suddenly shift along a fault.
Earthquakes are caused when plates overcome friction and move

3. Stress builds between two plates that are locked in place by friction.
Elastic Rebound Theory
Stress builds between two plates that are locked in place by friction.
Plates overcome friction causing plates to move (earthquake).
Plates snap back to their former shape.

4. Parts Of A Quake
Focus: point on the fault where the first movement occurs.
Epicenter: point on the surface directly above the focus.

5. Seismic Waves
Vibrations are called seismic waves. They radiate outward in all directions.

6. 3 Types of Seismic Waves ‘P’ waves (primary): ‘S’ waves (secondary):
Motion compresses and stretches materials.
Can move through solids and liquids.
First waves recorded by a seismograph.
‘S’ waves (secondary):
Side to side motion
Can move through solids ONLY!
Second waves recorded by a seismograph.
When P and S waves reach the surface, they become →
‘L’ Waves (surface waves):
Rolling motion
Can only travel on earth’s surface
Last to reach seismograph
Slow moving; cause the most damage
*‘P’ waves travel TWICE as fast as ‘S’ waves.

8. Seismographs Instrument that detects and records earthquake waves.
Records up and down motion.
Records E/W motion (side to side).
Records N/S motion (side to side).
Locates and measures an earthquake
Seismographs can tell how far away the epicenter is
Need 3 seismographs to determine exact location.
Seismographs are also used to determine the strength of a quake.

12. Richter Scale Measures magnitude
the amount of energy released
Scale of 1-10 with each # representing 32 times stronger than the previous #.

13. Mercalli Scale & Rossi-Forel Scale
Used to measure the intensity of the quake.
Usually measured upon observing the damage done.

14. Chapter 6.3 – Earthquake Damage
Tall buildings sway, collapse, or tip over.

15. Haiti

17. Other dangers include landslides, fires, explosions, and floods

18. Tsunamis (harbor wave) – a giant ocean wave caused by either faulting underwater or an underwater landslide. Tidal Wave

20. Seismic Sea Wave Warning System (SSWWS) is a
network of seismograph stations around and in the Pacific Ocean that alerts scientists to the location and magnitude of earthquakes.

21. Earthquake Warnings and Predictions
Animal behavior and regular intervals between earthquakes.
Seismic Gaps are zones of
rock that have not moved
for at least 30 years
Tilting of the ground
or cracking of rocks
along a fault.