EARTHQUAKES AND FAULTS

EARTHQUAKES

• The shaking or trembling caused by the sudden release of

energy.

• It occur when rocks along a fault suddenly move.

STRESS IN EARTH CRUST
STRESS
Is a force that squeezes rocks together, stretches or pulls them apart, or
pushes them in different directions.

*As tectonic plates move, they cause stress in the crust, which in turn
produces faults and folds.
FAULTS
A fault is a break in the earth crust along which significant
movement has taken place.
THREE TYPES OF FAULTS
NORMAL FAULT
• Forms as a result of tension.

*The rock layers in the Earth’s crust are pulled apart, and gravity causes
one section to move downward in relation to the other.
REVERSE FAULT
Forms as a result of compression.

*The rock layers in the earth’s crust are squeezed together, and the
force pushes one section upward in relation to the other.
STRIKE-SLIP FAULT

Forms when the rock layers on opposite sides of a fault slides past each
other horizontally.
*This type of fault is sometimes called as tear, wrench or trans current
fault.
HOW DO FAULTS PRODUCE QUAKES??

ENERGY from inside the Earth make the ground move. There is no
movement right away because of the FRICTION. Friction held the rocks
together. Once the friction is overcome, the ground will move and the
earthquake will occur.

Every time a FAULT slips or moves, the Earth QUAKES.

SEISMIC WAVES

• The energy released during an earthquake is carried by vibrations

called SEISMIC WAVES.

• As the rocks break and move, potential energy is transformed into

kinetic energy in the form of seismic waves.
TYPES OF SEISMIC WAVES
1. P waves or primary waves
• fastest waves
• travel through solids, liquids, or gases
• compressional wave, material movement is in the same direction as
wave movement
2. S waves or secondary waves
• slower than P waves
• travel through solids only
• shear waves - move material perpendicular to wave movement
How Strong is the Earthquake?
An earthquake may be described in two ways:

1. Intensity - effects on people or surroundings

2. Magnitude - energy released

*The intensity of an earthquake gives us an idea of how strong or weak

the shaking is.
DESCRIBING THE STRENGTH OF AN
EARTHQUAKE

Intensity Scale- Roman Numerals ( I – X)

Magnitude - Hindu –Arabic Numerals 1- 9

BEFORE THE EARTHQUAKE
• Prepare homes or schoolrooms by:
• strapping heavy furniture to the walls.
• Check the stability of hanging objects.
• Breakable items, harmful chemicals and flammable materials should be
stored properly.
• Know exit routes.
• Know where fire extinguishers and first aid kits are located.
• Prepare an emergency supply kit that includes water, canned food, can
opener, clothing, blanket, battery- operated radio, flashlight, and extra
batteries.
• Participate in regular earthquake drills.
DURING THE EARTHQUAKE

• Stay calm.
• If you are at home or inside a building, stay there.
• Duck under a sturdy desk or table and hold on to it.
• Stay away from glass windows, cabinets, and heavy objects.
• Beware of falling objects.
• If you are outside, move to an open area.
• Stay away from trees, power lines, and concrete structures.
• Move away from steep slopes which could be affected by landslides.
• If you are near the shore, move quickly to higher grounds. Tsunamis may
follow
AFTER THE EARTHQUAKE

• Do not use elevators or enter damaged buildings.

• Check yourself and others for injuries.
• Check for spills of chemical, toxic, and flammable materials.
• If you need to evacuate, leave a message and bring your emergency
kit.
• Listen to the radio for updates.
EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMI
TSUNAMI
Faults are found not only on land but also under the sea. When a fault
at the bottom of the sea suddenly moves, the water above it can be
affected.

• A sudden push from an underwater fault can produce a wave called a

TSUNAMI.
TSUNAMI

• It is so much more powerful.

• It involves the whole depth of the sea, from the seafloor to the
surface.
• It travels at the speed of a jet plane. When the tsunami reaches the
shore, it slows down but it grows in height.
• It is very destructive because the force of the whole ocean is behind
it. This is the reason why whole towns and cities are totally
devastated after a tsunami attack.
HOW ARE EARTHQUAKES RELATED TO
TSUNAMIS?
When a fault suddenly moves on land, you get an earthquake. But if a
fault suddenly moves in or near a body of water, you may get a tsunami
in addition to the earthquake.

*Not every fault movement beneath the sea will produce a tsunami.
Those faults that move in a horizontal direction or sideways will not
result in a tsunami. The fault has to move in the vertical sense.