Earthquakes are the shaking of the Earth's surface caused by rocks, known as plates, breaking under pressure. The pressure causes the broken rock to slide into the break in the Earth's surface also known as a fault. The fault is wherever the tectonics plates collide or slide against each other, under these massive slabs of rock, stress begins to gradually build up and eventually release, this causes vibrations to spread out and causes an earthquake. However, some earthquakes have the chance to occur when the tectonic plates are stretched or squeezed. Earthquakes occur by the thousands everyday around the world, usually in the form of small tremors. Approximately 80% of these earthquakes occur along the rim of the Pacific Ocean, also commonly called, the 'Ring of Fire'.
Focus and Epicenter
The focus of an earthquake is the point where the rocks break, which creates vibrations. The waves / vibrations then travel away from the focus in all different directions. There are three types of focus; the shallow-focus, mid-focus and deep-focus. Shallow-focus occur at a depth of less than 70km, mid-focus are situated between 71km and 300km and deep-focus ranges from 301km up to 700km. The epicenter is located directly above the focus on the surface, the amount of destruction that occurs at the epicenter varies depending on size and depth of the rupture at the fault.
Focus and Epicenter
The focus of an earthquake is the point where the rocks break, which creates vibrations. The waves / vibrations then travel away from the focus in all different directions. There are three types of focus; the shallow-focus, mid-focus and deep-focus. Shallow-focus occur at a depth of less than 70km, mid-focus are situated between 71km and 300km and deep-focus ranges from 301km up to 700km. The epicenter is located directly above the focus on the surface, the amount of destruction that occurs at the epicenter varies depending on size and depth of the rupture at the fault.
Richter Scale
The Richter Scale is the basic measurement for an earthquake. It was developed in 1935 by Charles F. Richter who was a member of the California Institute of Technology. The scale is used to rate the magnitude of the earthquake (the amount of energy released). The magnitude of an earthquake is the energy released when an earthquake occurs. This is measured by the wave amplitude of the seismic waves. These waves are recorded through a seismograph. These recordings are then put into a formula which converts them into a magnitude reading. Each time a magnitude increases by one, it indicates a tenfold increase and vice versa. For example, the amplitude of a level 6 earthquake is ten times greater then a level 5 earthquake. The amount of energy released increases by 31.7 between whole number values.
The Richter Scale is the basic measurement for an earthquake. It was developed in 1935 by Charles F. Richter who was a member of the California Institute of Technology. The scale is used to rate the magnitude of the earthquake (the amount of energy released). The magnitude of an earthquake is the energy released when an earthquake occurs. This is measured by the wave amplitude of the seismic waves. These waves are recorded through a seismograph. These recordings are then put into a formula which converts them into a magnitude reading. Each time a magnitude increases by one, it indicates a tenfold increase and vice versa. For example, the amplitude of a level 6 earthquake is ten times greater then a level 5 earthquake. The amount of energy released increases by 31.7 between whole number values.
Seismic waves
There are 3 types of seismic waves. These waves are refracted as they travel through the Earth. They are primary (P) waves, secondary (S) waves, both are known as body waves, and surface (L) waves. Body waves are the only waves that can travel through all or most of the body of the Earth. Primary waves are the fastest waves, has the least energy (least destructive), can pass through any solid and liquid and hits the surface with a up and down motion. Speed of primary waves are 330m/s in air, 1450m/s in water and 500m/s in solid. Secondary waves are the second fastest waves and can pass through solids and semi-liquids. Secondary waves are transverse waves (like light) and shakes buildings in a sideways motion with moderate amount of energy. Surface waves are the slowest waves and only travels around the Earth's surface. Surface waves are the most destructive of all waves and with the most energy. Surface waves rolls the ground and shakes it from side to side.
There are 3 types of seismic waves. These waves are refracted as they travel through the Earth. They are primary (P) waves, secondary (S) waves, both are known as body waves, and surface (L) waves. Body waves are the only waves that can travel through all or most of the body of the Earth. Primary waves are the fastest waves, has the least energy (least destructive), can pass through any solid and liquid and hits the surface with a up and down motion. Speed of primary waves are 330m/s in air, 1450m/s in water and 500m/s in solid. Secondary waves are the second fastest waves and can pass through solids and semi-liquids. Secondary waves are transverse waves (like light) and shakes buildings in a sideways motion with moderate amount of energy. Surface waves are the slowest waves and only travels around the Earth's surface. Surface waves are the most destructive of all waves and with the most energy. Surface waves rolls the ground and shakes it from side to side.
Aftershock
Aftershocks are earthquakes that occur after a previous earthquake - the main shock. The aftershock occurs in the same region as the main shock but always on a smaller magnitude. Aftershocks occur due to the rocks slabs of the tectonic plates to try to settle back into its original position which causes smaller shocks to occur.
Aftershocks are earthquakes that occur after a previous earthquake - the main shock. The aftershock occurs in the same region as the main shock but always on a smaller magnitude. Aftershocks occur due to the rocks slabs of the tectonic plates to try to settle back into its original position which causes smaller shocks to occur.
Earthquake swarms
Earthquake swarms are a sequence of earthquakes (commonly much more weaker than main shock) that occur within a specific area in a short period of time. They are different from an aftershock by the fact that not one single earthquake can be identified as the main shock. Therefore none of the earthquakes have a higher magnitude than the other,
Earthquake swarms are a sequence of earthquakes (commonly much more weaker than main shock) that occur within a specific area in a short period of time. They are different from an aftershock by the fact that not one single earthquake can be identified as the main shock. Therefore none of the earthquakes have a higher magnitude than the other,
Earthquake storm
An earthquake storm is a cluster of earthquakes that strike a fault, each triggered by the shaking or stress redistribution of the previous earthquakes. It is similar to an aftershock, but on adjacent segments of fault, this can occur over the course of years.
An earthquake storm is a cluster of earthquakes that strike a fault, each triggered by the shaking or stress redistribution of the previous earthquakes. It is similar to an aftershock, but on adjacent segments of fault, this can occur over the course of years.