E A R T H Q UA K E S : W H AT A R E

T H E Y A N D W H AT C AU S E S
THEM TO HAPPEN?
DEFINITIONS
• Earthquake = Vibration of the Earth produced by the rapid release of
energy

• Focus= location of initial slip on the fault; where the earthquake

origins

• Epicenter= spot on Earth’s surface directly above the focus

W H AT I S A N E A R T H Q U A K E ?

• An earthquake is a shaking of the ground caused by a

sudden release of energy in the Earth’s crust.
• Earth’s surface is made up of
many plates that float on the
soft rock of the mantle. As the
mantle moves, the plates also
move.
• Earthquakes are measured
by instruments called
seismographs. It has a base
that sets firmly in the ground,
and a heavy weight that
hangs free.
THE RICHTER MAGNITUDE SCALE
Richter Magnitudes
Description Earthquake Effects
Microearthquakes, not felt.
Micro Less than 2.0
Very Minor 2.0-2.9 Usually not felt, but recorded.

Minor 3.0-3.9 Often felt, but rarely causes damage.

Light 4.0-4.9 Noticeable shaking of indoor items, rattling

noises. Significant damage unlikely.

5.0-5.9 Can cause major damage to poorly

constructed buildings over small regions.
Moderate Slight damage to well-designed buildings.

Strong 6.0-6.9 Can be destructive in areas up to about 100

miles across in populated areas.

Can cause serious damage over larger areas.

Major 7.0-7.9

Great 8.0-8.9 Can cause serious damage in areas several

hundred miles across.

Rare Great 9.0 or greater Devastating in areas several thousand miles

across.
 HOW LONG DOES AN EARTHQUAKE
LAST?
• The largest, main earthquake is
called the mainshock.

• Mainshocks always have aftershocks

that follow. These are smaller
earthquakes that occur afterwards in
the same place as the mainshock.
HOW MANY EARTHQUAKES
H A P P E N E AC H Y E A R ?
1,000,000

Number of Earthquakes
100,000

10,000

1,000

100

10

1
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Magnitude of Earthquakes
 FA M O U S E A R T H Q U A K E S A RO U N D
THE WORLD
• San Francisco, California: April 18, 1906
(Magnitude: About 8)
• Tokyo, Japan: September 1, 1923
(Magnitude: about 8.25)
• Chile: May 22, 1960
(Magnitude: About 9)
• Anchorage, Alaska: March 27, 1964
(Magnitude: About 8.5)
EARTHQUAKE DAMAGE