1. HOW AND WHERE EARTHQUAKES HAPPEN

2. Why Earthquakes Happen?
Rocks along faults pressed tightly together.
Stress occurs but friction prevents them from moving – fault is said to be locked.
Rocks under stress suddenly shift along a fault
Fault – break in body of rock where one block slides relative to another
When rocks along a fault move, a sudden release of energy occurs causing movements on the ground...

3. ….This is an
Earthquake

4. FOCUS Area along a fault where the slippage first occurs
Focus is beneath the earth’s surface
The epicenter is directly above
The depth of the focus varies – 90% of continental earthquakes have shallow focus
Shallow foci – within 70km from surface
Deep foci – subduction zones farther from plate boundaries than shallow quakes

5. FOCUS DEPTH

6. FOCUS DEPTH OF EARTHQUAKES IN WASHINGTON 1977-1996

7. EPICENTER
A point on the earth’s surface directly above the focus

8. Seismic Waves travel outward in all directions from focus
What happens when rocks in motion release energy in the form of vibrations?
Seismic Waves
travel outward in all directions from focus

9. Seismic Waves Body waves – travel through body of a medium
Two types of waves produced from earthquakes :
Body waves – travel through body of a medium
Surface waves – travel along surface of body rather than through middle

10. Surface Waves
Form from motion along shallow fault or by energy transfer from P and S waves reaching earth’s surface.
Slowest moving seismic waves
Cause greatest damage at surface
Two types : Love and Rayleigh

11. Love and Rayleigh Waves
Love waves – rock moves side-to-side and perpendicular to wave direction
Rayleigh waves – move ground in an elliptical rolling motion

12. Earthquakes and Plate Tectonics
Most earthquakes are located at or near tectonic plate boundaries

13. Convergent Oceanic Environments
Plates move toward one another and collide
Subduction occurs as denser plate sinks under overriding plate - earthquakes occur
Oceanic-oceanic or oceanic-continental

14. Divergent Oceanic Environments
Plates moving away from each other and mid-ocean ridge
Spreading motion causes earthquakes

15. Continental Environments
Two continental plates converge, diverge, or move horizontally to one another
Rocks build up stress
Mountains form and earthquakes occur

16. MAJOR EARTHQUAKE ZONES
Pacific Ring of Fire
Mid-ocean ridges
Eurasian-Melanesian Mountain Belt

17. MAJOR EARTHQUAKES AREAS

18. Fault Zones Intense stress along plate boundaries create fault zones
Plates separate, collide, subduct or slide past one another
Movement from stress buildup causes major earthquakes

19. PUGET SOUND FAULT ZONES

20. Ancient Chinese Method of Studying Earthquakes

21. Magnitude
The measure of the strength of an earthquake, determined by measuring the amount of ground motion.

22. Richter Scale
Used for most of the 20th century. Each number represents a factor of 30 (a 5 earthquake has 30 times the energy of a 4). We now prefer to use the……

23. Moment Magnitude
Based on the size of the area of fault movement, the average distance that the fault blocks move, and the rigidity of the rocks in the fault zone. More accurate for large earthquakes.

24. Intensity
Based on an earthquake’s effects. The Mercalli scale (p. 304) uses Roman numerals I-XII. Depends on magnitude, distance from the epicenter, local geology, earthquake duration, and human infrastructure.
Charleston, SC

25. I & II Not felt except by a very few.
Felt by a few persons on the upper floors of buildings.

26. III & IV
Felt indoors.
Hanging objects swing.

27. V & VI
Felt outdoors.
Felt by all, many scared and run outdoors.

28. VII & VIII Difficult to stand.
Damage slight in specially designed structures.

29. IX & X Damage considerable in specially designed structures.
Ground cracked, rails bent.

30. XI & XII Bridges destroyed, broad fissures in ground.
Total destruction.

31. Earthquakes and Society Effects on Humans, Property & Infrastructure How to PREPARE for an Earthquake

33. MAJOR TSUNAMIS

34. A rapid drop or rise in the ocean floor
Caused by an earthquake whose epicenter is on or below the ocean floor that causing:
A rapid drop or rise in the ocean floor OR
An underwater landslide that displaces a large volume of water

35. Much Safer To Be Out In The Open
Most injuries result from the collapse of buildings, falling objects, and flying glass.

36. Other Dangers Include Landslides Fires
Explosions (broken electric and gas lines)
Floods (from collapsing dams)

37. Ground Type Is Important
Loose soil and rock can vibrate like Jell-O.

38. KOBE SEISMOGRAPH Top - Station on solid ground Right - Station on water saturated, soft ground

39. LIQUEFACTION Kobe

40. Quake Duration
A long duration moderate earthquake can cause more damage than a short one at a higher magnitude.

41. FIRES Kobe

42. Destruction to Buildings and Property

43. STRUCTURAL DAMAGE Kobe earthquake

44. CHILE – 1960 Largest Recorded 9.5

45. ALASKA

46. BEFORE - Be prepared DURING - Stay calm AFTER - Stay cautious
EARTHQUAKE SAFETY People who live near active faults should be ready to follow a few simple earthquake safety rules to help prevent death, injury, and property damage
BEFORE - Be prepared
DURING - Stay calm
AFTER - Stay cautious

47. Before an Earthquake
Be prepared. Keep an adequate supply of food, water, batteries, flashlights and a radio.
Prepare an earthquake plan and discuss it with your family.
Learn how to turn off the gas, water, and electricity in your home.

48. During an Earthquake Protect yourself by moving to a safe position.
Best way is the “Triangle of Life” (next slide--)
Indoors – get under a table or if not possible in a inside door frame away from heavy furniture
Outdoors – get away from tall buildings, tunnels, power lines or bridges out in the open

49. Triangle of Life during a Quake
Newest research shows your first best position to get into during a quake is next to and below the level of a heavy object – table or furniture
Cover your head in bracing position (like shown on a plane)
Any falling debris will hit table or furniture and arc over you and you will be protected

50. Bracing Under a Table Especially at School

51. Earthquake Warnings and Forecasts
Scientists study past earthquakes to predict where future earthquakes will occur.
There is currently no way to predict exactly when an earthquake will occur.

52. Seismic Gaps – Areas along a fault where stress has built up due to a decrease in seismic activity recently but where strong earthquakes occurred in the past

53. Don’t be Scared, Be Prepared!
3 Days, 3 Ways
Earthquake Preparedness Starts NOW!
3days3ways.org
Mr. K will show you how starting Tuesday!