Destructive earthquakes
Did you know Earthquakes can cause landslides,
which can even cause tsunamis? Tectonic plates are
one of the things that cause earthquakes.Tectonic plates move
as slow as your toenail grows, but that doesn’t mean that
they aren’t dangerous.
What are the parts of an earthquake?
Tectonic plates: Massive rocks that make up the outer layer
of the earth's surface, and whose movement triggers earthquakes.
Seismic waves: Seismic waves are waves that transmit
the energy released by an earthquake.
Fault: A fracture in the rocks that make up the
earth’s crust.
Focus(Hypocenter): The point within the
earthquake rupture starts.
Epicenter: The point at the center at the earth
directly above the focus.
How does an earthquake happen?
The top layer of the earth is called the crust.
The crust is broken into pieces, Tectonic plates. The tectonic
plates are always moving but very, very slowly. Sometimes they move
against each other and in some places they move away from each other.
All this movement creates pressure underground.
The pressure builds up. Huge chunks of rock start to break.
An enormous amount of energy is released. Some of this
energy is in the form of shockwaves.
Maori connection
Ruaumoko, the son of rangi and and earth mother papatuanuku,
is though responsible for all the stirrings beneath the earth.
The rumblings of earthquakes the molten hiss of volcanoes and the
inevitable rolling change of the seasons. According to the maori
inevitable rolling change of the seasons. According to the maori
dictionary the definite meaning of ruaumoko is earthquake. But
Interestingly, if we deconstruct the word, the definition of ru
is shake, one translation of au is smoke and moko is lizard.
Fire breathing beast!
Fire breathing beast!
Conclusion
Even though tectonic plates move as slow as
your toenail grows, they can be extremely dangerous.
It is very important to have this knowledge because someday
it may save your life!
By Willow
Bibliography
Earthquakes Ann Weil
