Difference between revisions of "Earthquake"
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An '''earthquake''' is when the [[Earth]] shakes, caused by [[plate tectonics|tectonic]] activity in an area after the release of stored [[energy]] from the [[rock]]. Earthquakes most commonly occur on tectonic plate boundaries, and also occur along [[fault|faults]] where previous movement has occurred. There are 500,000 detectable earthquakes in the world each year. | An '''earthquake''' is when the [[Earth]] shakes, caused by [[plate tectonics|tectonic]] activity in an area after the release of stored [[energy]] from the [[rock]]. Earthquakes most commonly occur on tectonic plate boundaries, and also occur along [[fault|faults]] where previous movement has occurred. There are 500,000 detectable earthquakes in the world each year. | ||
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The severity of earthquakes is measured using the [[Richter scale]]. | The severity of earthquakes is measured using the [[Richter scale]]. | ||
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| − | == | + | ==See also== |
* [[seismic]] | * [[seismic]] | ||
* [[Loma Prieta Earthquake]] | * [[Loma Prieta Earthquake]] | ||
Revision as of 16:08, March 13, 2011
An earthquake is when the Earth shakes, caused by tectonic activity in an area after the release of stored energy from the rock. Earthquakes most commonly occur on tectonic plate boundaries, and also occur along faults where previous movement has occurred. There are 500,000 detectable earthquakes in the world each year.
Earthquakes are a significant natural hazard to populations living in areas prone to them, and emergency 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.