What is an earthquake?

Earthquakes are the shaking, rolling or sudden shock of the earth’s

surface. They are the Earth's natural means of releasing stress. More
than a million earthquakes rattle the world each year. The West Coast is
most at risk of having an earthquake, but earthquakes can happen in the
Midwest and along the East Coast. Earthquakes can be felt over large
areas although they usually last less than one minute. Earthquakes cannot
be predicted - although scientists are working on it!

What causes an earthquake?

There are about 20 plates along the surface of the earth that move
continuously and slowly past each other. When the plates squeeze or
stretch, huge rocks form at their edges and the rocks shift with great
force, causing an earthquake. Think of it this way: Imagine holding a
pencil horizontally. If you were to apply a force to both ends of the pencil
by pushing down on them, you would see the pencil bend. After enough
force was applied, the pencil would break in the middle, releasing the
stress you have put on it. The Earth's crust acts in the same way. As the
plates move they put forces on themselves and each other. When the
force is large enough, the crust is forced to break. When the break
occurs, the stress is released as energy which moves through the Earth in
the form of waves, which we feel and call an earthquake.
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What is a tsunami?
A tsunami is a large ocean wave usually caused by an underwater
earthquake or a volcanic explosion. Tsunamis are NOT tidal waves. Tidal
waves are caused by the forces of the moon, sun, and planets upon the
tides, as well as the wind as it moves over the water. With typical waves,
water flows in circles, but with a tsunami, water flows straight. This is
why tsunamis cause so much damage!

4 Minor Earthquake
5 Moderate Earthquake
6 Strong Earthquake
7 Major Earthquake
8 Great Earthquake

 
Earthquake Safety Tips 
 BEFORE AN EARTHQUAKE: Have a disaster plan. Emergency
preparedness can save lives. Choose a safe place in every room. It’s
best to get under a sturdy piece of furniture like a table or a desk
where nothing can fall on you. Practice DROP, COVER AND HOLD
ON! Drop under something sturdy, hold on, and protect your eyes by
pressing your face against your arm. If you live in an earthquake
prone area, bolt tall furniture to the wall and install strong latches
to cupboards. Prepare a first aid kit for your home. By taking special
precautions and checking for hazards before a disaster strikes, you
will be much more likely to stay safe.

DURING AN EARTHQUAKE: DROP, COVER AND HOLD ON! Stay

indoors until the shaking stops. Stay away from windows. If you’re in
bed, hold on and stay there, protecting your head with a pillow. If
you’re outdoors, find a clear spot away from buildings, trees and
power lines. Then, drop to the ground. If you’re in a car, slow down
and drive to a safe place. Stay in the car until the shaking stops.

AFTER THE SHAKING STOPS: Check for injuries. Inspect your

home for damage. Eliminate fire hazards, so turn off the gas if you
think its leaking. Expect aftershocks. Each time you feel one, DROP,
COVER AND HOLD ON.

 Earthquake Activities 
Lesson Plan: Here is a great lesson plan on learning about how thrust
faults are responsible for the uplift of many mountain ranges across
the world, including the Los Angeles Basin. This is a great lesson plan
for middle and high school students.

Lesson Plan: Here is a great lesson plan keeping track of

earthquakes around the world. In this activity, kids keep a record of
the location of earthquakes for a week and learn about plate
tectonic.
Bibliography