EARTHQUAKES

Dr. R. B. Schultz
Global Earthquake Locations
 What are Earthquakes?
• The shaking or trembling caused by
the sudden release of energy
• Usually associated with faulting or
breaking of rocks
• Continuing adjustment of position
results in aftershocks
• Shaking of earth due to movement
of rocks along a fault.
• Rocks under stress accumulate
strain energy over time.
• When stress exceeds strength
of rocks, rock breaks.
• Strain energy is released as
seismic waves. The longer that
energy is stored up and is
maintained without release, the
more likely that a strong
earthquake will occur.
What is FAULT?
• A break or crack in rock
along which movement of
the earth’s crust occurs.
• Can be visible on the crust
or can be far underground.
• Can be only a meter long or
they can extend for
hundreds of kilometers.
FAULT
Earthquakes can happen along any type of plate
boundary. They also occur along faults which are
large cracks in the earth’s crust. Most faults
are associated with large plate boundaries
where violent earthquakes usually occur.
1.Tension – results when a system of forces
pulls or stretches an object from opposite
sides.
2.Compression – results when a system of
forces pushes an object from opposite
sides.
3.Shearing - results when a system of
forces is applied to an object in different
directions.
 EARTHQUAKE
AND PLATE
The lines TECTONICS
on the map indicate plate
boundaries.
The Focus and Epicenter of an Earthquake

• The point within

Earth where
faulting begins
is the FOCUS,
or hypocenter
• The point
directly above
the focus on the
surface is the
EPICENTER
 Three Types of Focus
1. Shallow-focus
 earthquake originates between the
earth’s surface and a depth of 70
kilometers below the surface.
 earthquakes in this class are
detected at all three types of plate
boundaries-trenches, ridges and
fault boundaries.
 most earthquakes have shallow focus.
 Three Types of Focus
2. Intermediate-focus
 earthquake originates between 70
and 300 kilometers beneath the
surface.
3. Deep-focus
 earthquake originates 300 to 700
kilometers below the surface.
 Both occurs at trench boundaries,
where one plate moves under another.
 Using Seismographs to Find the
Epicenter
• Seismograph- A sensitive instrument that
measures and records seismic waves.
 How does it work?
• A seismograph has a heavy weight
suspended from a support that is attached to
bedrock. During an earthquake, inertia
keeps the weight and the pen attached to it
still. When a seismic wave passes, the
support, base and revolving paper drum
shake. Thus, the pen marks zigzag lines on
a paper drum, recording the movements of
the earth. The recorded lines are the...
 Seismogram
• A recording or the recorded lines of a
seismograph.
• In the figure below, there are 3 distinct
groups of zigzag lines that correspond to the
different kinds of seismic waves.
 The Epicenter and the Seismogram

• Scientists analyze the time difference

between the arrival of the P and S waves.
• By doing so, they can calculate the distance
to the earthquake’s epicenter.
 Intensity
• Intensity- measure of an earthquake’s
effect or damage in a place.
• Modified Mercalli Scale named after
Guiseppe Mercalli is used as a basis for the
intensity of an earthquake.
 Magnitude & Richter Scale
Magnitude- measures the energy released
during quake by measuring the amplitude of
the largest wave recorded on the seismogram
Richter Scale- named after Charles Richter
used as basis for the magnitude. The scale is
logarithmic, one point increases in the scale
means tenfold increases
How are the Size and Strength of an Earthquake Measured?

• Intensity
– subjective measure
of the kind of
damage done and
people’s reactions
to it
– isoseismal lines
identify areas of
equal intensity

• Modified Mercalli Intensity Map

– 1994 Northridge, CA earthquake,
magnitude 6.7
Earthquake Effects - Ground Shaking

Northridge, CA 1994
Earthquake Effects -
Ground Shaking

Northridge, CA 1994
Earthquake Effects - Ground Shaking

Loma Prieta, CA 1989

KGO-TV News ABC-7
Earthquake Effects - Ground Shaking

Kobe, Japan 1995

Earthquake Effects - Ground Shaking

Kobe, Japan 1995

Earthquake Effects - Surface Faulting

Landers, CA 1992
Earthquake Effects - Liquefaction

Source: National Geophysical Data Center

Niigata, Japan 1964

Earthquake Effects - Landslides

Source: National Geophysical Data Center

Turnagain Heights, Alaska,1964 (upper left inset);

Santa Cruz Mtns, California , 1989
Earthquake Effects - Fires

Loma Prieta, CA 1989

KGO-TV News ABC-7

Earthquake Effects - Tsunamis
1957 Aleutian Tsunami

Photograph Credit: Henry Helbush. Source: National Geophysical Data Center

Earthquake Preparedness

Before- develop a disaster plan; secure

your home; store flammable; pack
survival kit lightly; and conduct
earthquake drills.
Earthquake Preparedness

During- cover your head; look for a safe

place to hide temporarily; stay in an open
area; go to a higher ground for tsunami
alert; and move away from steep
elevations.
Earthquake Preparedness

After- exit building calmly; see if

you have injuries; and do not enter
a building in attempt to save
someone.
 QUIZ

1. It is the shaking or
trembling of the earth's
crust?
 The point within
• 2.

Earth where faulting

begins is called?
• 3. During an earthquake,
what are the things you must
prepare? Give atleast 2
examples.
 What are the 3 first most
• 4.

important ways that you

must do during an
earthquake?
• 5. Give
atleast 3 examples of
what to do after an
earthquake.
 ANSWERS
• 1. EARTHQUAKE
• 2. EPICENTER
• 3. FIRE EXTINGUISHER, FIRST AID
KIT, RADIO, FLASHLIGHTS, AND
EXTRA BATTERIES.
• 4. DUCK, COVER AND HOLD
• 5. TURN ON RADIO, STAY OUT OF
DAMAGED BUILDINGS, STAY AWAY
FROM BEACHES, AND BE PREPARED
FOR AFTER SHOCKS.
 Thank you for your
Cooperation Grade 7!!