Earthquake

Front

What is an earthquake?

Back

An earthquake is a geological event that happens when the Earth's crust suddenly releases stored-up energy in a seismic wave, causing the Earth to shake as the waves move outward.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS2-1

NGSS.HS-ESS3-1

Front

What causes earthquakes?

Back

Earthquakes are caused by the buildup of stress in the Earth's crust when the edges of tectonic plates get stuck while the rest of the plate continues to move. When the stress builds up enough, the rock breaks along a fault line, releasing energy in the form of seismic waves.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-5

NGSS.HS-ESS2-1

Front

What are some effects of earthquakes?

Back

Earthquakes can cause ground shaking, landslides, fissures, avalanches, fires, and tsunamis. The extent of the damage depends on the earthquake's magnitude, intensity, and duration.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS3-1

Front

Tsunami

Back

A tsunami is a series of large, extremely long waves caused by a sudden shifting of position in the ocean. Tsunamis are often caused by earthquakes, but can also be caused by landslides, volcanic activity.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-5

NGSS.HS-ESS3-1

Front

Subduction zone

Back

•A subduction zone is where two plates collide, and one plate moves under the other plate. 

•Subduction means to “move underneath”.

•Subduction causes geological features like Ocean trenches, island arcs, and volcanos.

•Crust is destroyed at subduction zones as the plate moves into the mantle and melts.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-5

NGSS.HS-ESS2-1

Front

Rift Zone

Back

•A rift zone is an area on Earth's surface where the lithosphere is being pulled apart. 

•There is often  volcanic activity because magma come to the surface where there are cracks and fissures along the zone. 

•New crust is being formed in these zones

•Can be oceanic or continental.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-5

NGSS.HS-ESS2-1

Front

Volcano

Back

an opening in the Earth’s crust through which molten magma and gases erupt.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-5

NGSS.HS-ESS2-3