Earthquakes and Faults

EARTHQUAKE - The shaking or trembling caused by the sudden release of energy. It
occur when rocks along a fault suddenly move.

STRESS IN EARTH’S CRUST - 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.

WHERE DO EARTHQUAKES OCCUR?

A fault is a break in the Earth’s crust along which significant movement has taken place.

THREE TYPES OF FAULTS

1.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.

2.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.

3.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
transcurrent fault.
HOW DO FAULTS PRODUCE QUAKES??
- ENERGY from inside the Earth make the ground move. There is no movement
friction 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.

Where does an earthquake start?

FOCUS --- is the place where the first break happens, where the fault starts to slip,
where first movement takes place. It is the starting point of the earthquake.
EPICENTER --- is the spot directly above the focus on the surface of the Earth.
SEISMIC WAVES - The energy released during an earthquake is carried by vibrations
called. 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
3. L waves or Surface Waves
 Slowly than P and S waves, but usually produce larger ground movements and
greater damage.

SEISMOGRAPH – device that can detect and record seismic waves.

- The record of an earthquake on a seismograph is called seismogram.

RICHTER SCALE - rates EQs based on measurement of the times and amplitudes of
seismic waves by certain seismograph.

MOMENT MAGNITUDE SCALE - gives measure of the amount of energy released by

an earthquake.

MODIFIED MERCALLI SCALE -- rates the effects of earthquakes, which ranges from 1-
12, is based on observations of the intensity of ground shaking and damage in the areas
affected by an earthquake.

MEASURING EARTHQUAKES
How Strong is the Earthquake? An earthquake may be described in two ways:
1. Intensity - effects on people or surroundings (Roman Numerals I – X)
2. Magnitude - energy released *The intensity of an earthquake gives us an idea of how
strong or weak the shaking is. (Hindu –Arabic Numerals 1- 9)

Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology PHILVOLCS

PHIVOLCS Earthquake Intensity Scale (PEIS)

ACTIVE FAULT- It is one that has moved in the past and is expected to move again.
It has generated earthquakes before and is capable of causing more in the future.

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.
BEFORE 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.

DURING 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.

AFTER THE EARTHQUAKE

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.
TSUNAMI
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.