EARTHQUAKES

BY EMMAN VALLE
What is Earthquake?
What is Earthquake?

An earthquake is the sudden movement or

trembling of the Earth’s tectonic plates, that
creates the shakes of the ground.
5 causes of Earthquake?
 1. Volcanic Eruptions

When the lava tries to break through the surface

of the Earth, with the increased pressure of gases,
certain movements cause in the Earth’s crust.
Movement of lava beneath the surface of the
Earth can also cause certain disruptions.
2. Tectonic Movements

The surface of the Earth consists of some

plates, comprising of the upper mantle. These
plates are always moving, thus affecting the
Earth’s crust. These movements categorized
into three types: constructive, destructive, and
conservative.
3. Geological Faults

A geological fault is known as displacement of

plates of their original plane. These planes are
not formed suddenly but slowly develop over a
long period. The displacement of plates creates
the fracturing of rocks, which releases a lot of
energy.
4. Man-Made

The interference of man with nature can also become a cause of

the Earthquake. The disturbance of crustal balance due to heavy
clubbing of water in dams can cause Earthquakes. Nuclear
bombing can send specific types of shockwaves throughout the
surface of the Earth, which can disturb the natural alignment of
tectonic plates. Mining can also cause disturbance due to the
extensive removal of rocks from different areas.
5. Minor Causes

Some minor causes such as landslides, avalanches, the collapse

of heavy rocks, etc. can also cause minor shockwaves. The
gases beneath the surface of Earth contract and expand, giving
rise to movements in plates beneath the crust. The plutonic
Earthquake occurs because of adjustments in rock beds in the
interior of the Earth’s crust. All these factors correspond to
minor Earthquakes, but sometimes these can also vary to
moderate Earthquakes.
Plate Boundaries
1. Divergent Boundary

A divergent boundary occurs when two tectonic plates

move away from each other. Along these boundaries,
earthquakes are common and magma (molten rock)
rises from the Earth’s mantle to the surface, solidifying
to create new oceanic crust. The Mid-Atlantic Ridge is
an example of divergent plate boundaries.
2. Convergent Boundary

When two plates come together, it is known as a convergent

boundary. The impact of the colliding plates can cause the
edges of one or both plates to buckle up into a mountain ranges
or one of the plates may bend down into a deep seafloor trench.
A chain of volcanoes often forms parallel to convergent plate
boundaries and powerful earthquakes are common along these
boundaries. The Pacific Ring of Fire is an example of a
convergent plate boundary.
3. Transform Boundary

Two plates sliding past each other forms a transform plate boundary.
One of the most famous transform plate boundaries occurs at the San
Andreas fault zone, which extends underwater. Natural or
human-made structures that cross a transform boundary are
offset—split into pieces and carried in opposite directions. Rocks that
line the boundary are pulverized as the plates grind along, creating a
linear fault valley or undersea canyon. Earthquakes are common along
these faults. In contrast to convergent and divergent boundaries, crust
is cracked and broken at transform margins, but is not created or
destroyed.
END OF PRESENTATION, THANK YOU!