Difference between revisions of "Earthquake"
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An '''earthquake''' is the shaking caused when [[plate tectonics|tectonic]] activity in an area causes the release of stored [[energy]] from the rock. Most commonly occurring on tectonic plate boundaries, earthquakes also occur along [[fault]]s where previous movement has occurred. | An '''earthquake''' is the shaking caused when [[plate tectonics|tectonic]] activity in an area causes the release of stored [[energy]] from the rock. Most commonly occurring on tectonic plate boundaries, earthquakes also occur along [[fault]]s where previous movement has occurred. | ||
| − | Earthquakes are a significant natural [[hazard]] to populations living in areas prone to earthquakes and responses to the hazard vary with economic development. | + | Earthquakes are a significant natural [[hazard]] to populations living in areas prone to earthquakes and responses to the hazard vary with economic development. The most powerful and destructive earthquakes occur at tectonic plate boundaries like the [[San Andreas Fault]]. |
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| − | The most powerful and destructive earthquakes occur at tectonic plate boundaries like the [[San Andreas Fault]]. | ||
| + | The severity of earthquakes is measured using the [[Richter scale]]. | ||
==See Also== | ==See Also== | ||
Revision as of 18:23, December 15, 2008
An earthquake is the shaking caused when tectonic activity in an area causes the release of stored energy from the rock. Most commonly occurring on tectonic plate boundaries, earthquakes also occur along faults where previous movement has occurred.
Earthquakes are a significant natural hazard to populations living in areas prone to earthquakes and responses to the hazard vary with economic development. The most powerful and destructive earthquakes occur at tectonic plate boundaries like the San Andreas Fault.
The severity of earthquakes is measured using the Richter scale.