What is an earthquake?

An earthquake is what happens when two blocks of the earth suddenly slip past one another. The
surface where they slip is called the fault or fault plane. The location below the earths surface where
the earthquake starts is called thehypocenter, and the location directly above it on the surface of the
earth is called the epicenter.
Sometimes an earthquake has foreshocks. These are smaller earthquakes that happen in the same
place as the larger earthquake that follows. Scientists cant tell that an earthquake is a foreshock until the
larger earthquake happens. The largest, main earthquake is called the mainshock. Mainshocks always
haveaftershocks that follow. These are smaller earthquakes that occur afterwards in the same place as
the mainshock. Depending on the size of the mainshock, aftershocks can continue for weeks, months,
and even years after the mainshock!

What causes earthquakes and where do they happen?

The earth has four major layers: the inner core, outer core, mantle and crust. (figure 2) The crust and
the top of the mantle make up a thin skin on the surface of our planet. But this skin is not all in one piece
it is made up of many pieces like a puzzle covering the surface of the earth. (figure 3) Not only that, but
these puzzle pieces keep slowly moving around, sliding past one another and bumping into each other.

We call these puzzle piecestectonic plates, and the edges of the plates are called the plate
boundaries. The plate boundaries are made up of many faults, and most of the earthquakes around the
world occur on these faults. Since the edges of the plates are rough, they get stuck while the rest of the
plate keeps moving. Finally, when the plate has moved far enough, the edges unstick on one of the faults
and there is an earthquake.

Why does the earth shake when there is an earthquake?

While the edges of faults are stuck together, and the rest of the block is moving, the energy that would
normally cause the blocks to slide past one another is being stored up. When the force of the moving
blocks finally overcomes thefriction of the jagged edges of the fault and it unsticks, all that stored up
energy is released. The energy radiates outward from the fault in all directions in the form of seismic
waves like ripples on a pond. The seismic waves shake the earth as they move through it, and when the
waves reach the earths surface, they shake the ground and anything on it, like our houses and us.

How do earthquakes form?

Let us imagine what goes on in the outer crust with the help of this diagram.

Earthquakes develop in the crust of the earth. The crust involves the earth's surface,
submarine levels, down to the ocean floors. The inner part of the earth contains
massive energy. Some of this energy escapes through cracks and other volcanic
activity, but the bulk of it is stored within the earths inner part, contained in the crust.
The earths outer crust is held in place like a completed jigsaw puzzle, with rough
edges and lines. The energy stored here causes the pieces to slide, glide, knock and
move around each piece. These pieces best describe what we call Tectonic plates (See
illustration below)
After a period of time, the built up energy and movement causes huge tension in the
plates, and there is massive pressure on the fault lines. This intense pressure resulting
from energy build up causes the fault lines give way, and plates move over, against or
apart from each other.

It is important to note that there is usually a very thick natural cover (earth and vegetation) which
makes fault lines obscure.

There is an earthquake at this point. In the form of seismic waves (like water
ripples) the escaping energy radiates outward from the fault in all directions. The
seismic waves shake the earth as they move through it. When the waves reach
the earths surface, they shake the ground and anything on it, tearing down
houses and structures.

What is an Earthquake?
Simply, earthquakes are the rumblings, shaking or rolling of the earth's surface. It is
usually what happens when two blocks of the earth suddenly slip past one another, or
break apart from each other as a result of tension caused by prolonged energy build
up.

Earthquakes come
in many forms. It can be felt as a shock under your feet, or may be very powerful and
destructive enough to flatten an entire city. They can happen anywhere, land or sea.
Foreshocks, Mainshocks and Aftershocks:
Sometimes, there are smaller shocks that occur before (foreshock) and after
(aftershock) a main earthquake (mainshock). Sometimes foreshocks are so big and
scientists are unsure if it is the main shock. Foreshocks and aftershocks can occur for
days, weeks and months of a main earthquake.
Earthquakes are also called temblors.
It is important to understand
the earths makeup to help understand earthquakes better.
In this diagram, you will notice that the inner and outer core of the earth (middle part)
are liquid in nature, containing iron and nickel of extreme temperatures (5,500C).
The Mantle is semi-molten rock, also called magma. The outer is the crust, which is the
hard part of the earth that forms the surface. This outer crust includes the land on
which we live, the oceans and ocean deeps and anything within 40km (approx) down
the earth's surface.
Earthquakes are developed in the outer crust of
the earth.

Plan for an Earthquake

If you are at risk from earthquakes:

Pick "safe places" in each room of your home. A safe place could be under a
sturdy table or desk or against an interior wall away from windows, bookcases,

or tall furniture that could fall on you. The shorter the distance to move to
safety, the less likely you will be injured. Injury statistics show that persons
moving more than 10 feet during an earthquake's shaking are most likely to
experience injury.
Practice drop, cover, and hold-on in each safe place. Drop under a sturdy
desk or table, hold on, and protect your eyes by pressing your face against your
arm. Practicing will make these actions an automatic response. When an
earthquake or other disaster occurs, many people hesitate, trying to remember
what they are supposed to do. Responding quickly and automatically may help
protect you from injury.
Practice drop, cover, and hold-on at least twice a year. Frequent practice will
help reinforce safe behavior.
Talk with your insurance agent. Different areas have different requirements
for earthquake protection. Study locations of active faults, and if you are at risk,
consider purchasing earthquake insurance.
Inform guests, babysitters, and caregivers of your plan. Everyone in your
home should know what to do if an earthquake occurs. Assure yourself that
others will respond properly even if you are not at home during the earthquake.
Get training. Take a first aid class from your local Red Cross chapter. Get
training on how to use a fire extinguisher from your local fire department. Keep
your training current. Training will help you to keep calm and know what to do
when an earthquake occurs.
Discuss earthquakes with your family. Everyone should know what to do in
case all family members are not together. Discussing earthquakes ahead of time
helps reduce fear and anxiety and lets everyone know how to respond.
What to Tell Children
Find safe places in every room of your home and your classroom. Look for
safe places inside and outside of other buildings where you spend time. The
shorter the distance you have to travel when the ground shakes, the safer you
will be. Earthquakes can happen anytime and anywhere, so be prepared
wherever you go.

 If you're indoors during an earthquake, drop, cover, and hold on. Get
under a desk, table or bench. Hold on to one of the legs and cover your eyes. If
there's no table or desk nearby, sit down against an interior wall. An interior
wall is less likely to collapse than a wall on the outside shell of the building.
Pick a safe place where things will not fall on you, away from windows,
bookcases, or tall, heavy furniture. It is dangerous to run outside when an
earthquake happens because bricks, roofing, and other materials may fall from
buildings during and immediately following earthquakes, injuring persons near
the buildings.
Wait in your safe place until the shaking stops, then check to see if you are
hurt. You will be better able to help others if you take care of yourself first,
then check the people around you. Move carefully and watch out for things that
have fallen or broken, creating hazards. Be ready for additional earthquakes
called "aftershocks."
Be on the lookout for fires. Fire is the most common earthquake-related
hazard, due to broken gas lines, damaged electrical lines or appliances, and
previously contained fires or sparks being released.
If you must leave a building after the shaking stops, use the stairs, not the
elevator. Earthquakes can cause fire alarms and fire sprinklers to go off. You
will not be certain whether there is a real threat of fire. As a precaution, use the
stairs.
If you're outside in an earthquake, stay outside. Move away from
buildings, trees, streetlights, and power lines. Crouch down and cover your
head. Many injuries occur within 10 feet of the entrance to buildings. Bricks,
roofing, and other materials can fall from buildings, injuring persons nearby.
Trees, streetlights, and power lines may also fall, causing damage or injury.
How to Protect Your Property

Secure items that might fall (televisions, books, computers, etc.). Falling items
can cause damage or injury.
Hang heavy items, such as pictures and mirrors, away from beds, couches,
and anywhere people sit. Earthquakes can knock things off walls, causing
damage or injury.

 Repair any deep cracks in ceilings or foundations. Get expert advice if there
are signs of structural defects. Earthquakes can turn cracks into ruptures and
make smaller problems bigger.
Check to see if your house is bolted to its foundation. Homes bolted to their
foundations are less likely to be severely damaged during earthquakes. Homes that
are not bolted have been known to slide off their foundations, and many have been
destroyed because they are uninhabitable.
What to Do During an Earthquake

Drop, cover, and hold on!

If you are in bed, hold on and stay there, protecting your head with a pillow

If you are in a vehicle, pull over to a clear location, stop and stay there with
your seatbelt fastened until the shaking has stopped. Trees, power lines, poles,
street signs, and other overhead items may fall during earthquakes. Stopping will
help reduce your risk, and a hard-topped vehicle will help protect you from flying
or falling objects. Once the shaking has stopped, proceed with caution. Avoid
bridges or ramps that might have been damaged by the quake.

Stay away from windows.

If you are in a coastal area, move to higher ground.

If you are in a mountainous area or near unstable slopes or cliffs, be alert for
falling rocks and other debris that could be loosened by the
earthquake. Landslides commonly happen after earthquakes.