Earthquakes: Movement of the

Earth’s Crust

• Adapted from:
http://www.k12reader.com/reading-
comprehension/GR7_Earthquake.pdf

Instructions
Instructions
• Read the paragraph.

• Read the question underneath it.

• Click on the word in the paragraph that is the answer to

the question.
• Write the answer in your copy. Use full sentences.

Start
Earthquakes are the shaking and moving of the ground
when energy is released in waves. These waves are
called seismic waves. These waves are similar to ocean
waves, which move through water. Seismic waves,
however, move through the ground.

Q: What do seismic waves move through?

Well done! Now write the full answer in your copy.

Q: What do seismic waves move through?

Answer: Seismic waves move through _________.

Click here to check your answer.

 Q: What do seismic waves move through?

Answer: Seismic waves move through the ground.

Did you take Seismic waves, however, move

the right through the ground.
information?

Next question
Most earthquakes are caused by the movement of large
sections of the Earth’s crust, called plates. The place
where two plates meet is called a fault. Faults look like
large cracks in the ground. If the two plates move in
different directions, they build up energy at the fault line.
When enough energy builds up, the stress on the fault
becomes too great and it ruptures. This releases the
energy and the ground starts to shake.

Q: What is the place where two plates meet called?

Well done! Now write the full answer in your copy.

Q: What is the place where two plates meet called?

A: The place where plates meet is called _________.

Click here to check your answer.

 Q: What is the place where two plates meet called?

A: The place where plates meet is called a fault.

Did you take The place where two plates meet is

the right
information? called a fault.

Next question
Earthquakes can also be caused by other natural
events, such as landslides and volcanoes. Man-made
earthquakes happen because of nuclear testing and
mining explosions.
The first movement of an earthquake, called the main
shock, is often followed by smaller ground trembles,
called aftershocks. These aftershocks are the plates
settling into their new position. Aftershocks can continue
for days after the main shock.

Q: What is the first movement of an earthquake called?

Well done! Now write the full answer in your copy.

Q: What is the first movement of an earthquake called?

A: The first movement of an earthquake is called

_________________.

Click here to check your answer.

 Q: What is the first movement of an earthquake called?

A: The first movement of an earthquake is called the

main shock.

The first movement of an earthquake, called

Did you take
the right the main shock, is often followed by smaller
information? ground trembles, called aftershocks.

Next question
There are an estimated 500,000 earthquakes around the
world each year. Most are so mild they are only recorded
on scientific instruments. Only about 100,000 can be felt
by humans. Of these, only about 19 a year cause major
damage.

Q: How many earthquakes happen every year?

Well done! Now write the full answer in your copy.

Q: How many earthquakes happen every year?

A: ____________ earthquakes happen every year.

Click here to check your answer.

 Q: How many earthquakes happen every year?

A: 500,000 earthquakes happen every year.

Did you take There are an estimated 500,000

the right
information?
earthquakes around the world each year.

Next question
 Major earthquakes in populated areas can cause huge
destruction. Building collapse, roads and bridges buckle
and crack, and electrical and gas lines break and cause
fires. If the earthquake happens in the ocean, it makes a
series of huge ocean waves called a tsunami. The
tsunami travels until it finally reaches land, where it
causes large flooding.

Q: What is made when an earthquake happens in the ocean?

 Well done! Now write the full answer in your copy.

Q: What is made when an earthquake happens in the ocean?

A: When an earthquake happens in the ocean,

____________ is made.

Click here to check your answer.

Q: What is made when an earthquake happens in the ocean?

A: When an earthquake happens in the ocean, a tsunami

is made.

Did you take

If the earthquake happens in the ocean, it
the right makes a series of huge ocean waves
information?
called a tsunami.

Next question
 Scientists are searching for ways to predict earthquakes.
They study the historical patterns of earthquakes and
monitor the movement of the plates with seismic
equipment. While they cannot predict an exact date of a
future earthquake, they have a better understanding of
when earthquakes are more likely to happen.

Q: What do scientists use to monitor the movement of plates?

 Well done! Now write the full answer in your copy.

Q: What do scientists use to monitor the movement of plates?

A: Scientists use _______________ to monitor the

movement of plates.

Click here to check your answer.

Q: What do scientists use to monitor the movement of plates?

A: Scientists use seismic equipment to monitor the

movement of plates.

Did you take

They study the historical patterns of
the right earthquakes and monitor the movement
information?
of the plates with seismic equipment.

Finish
Well done!
• Great job, you’re an earthquake expert now!
• Look at this diagram that shows all the different parts of an
earthquake!

https://www.kqed.org/quest/29461/earthquakes