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Earthquakes
vibrations caused by the earth’s movements
Where do earthquakes take place
all plate boundaries and major fault lines (cracks in the earth’s surface)
Where are the most severe earthquakes found
conservative and destructive boundaries
Focus
the point below ground where seismic waves start from
Epicentre
the point directly above the focus on the earth’s surface where seismic waves spread out from. worst effects are felt here
How earthquakes are caused
Tectonic plates are always moving. If they get stuck, huge pressure can build up
When plates break free or one plate gives way the energy released causes an earthquake beneath Earth’s surface - at the focus.
Seismic waves spread out from the focus through the rock and reach the surface at the epicentre
Isoline map
map where areas with the same values are connected with lines
Tsunamis
bigger waves caused by energy originating underwater (instead of wind) e.g. earthquakes, underwater volcanoes.
How fast can tsunamis move
up to 500mph
Ways to protect against tsunamis
Sea walls, channels to divert water, early detection & warning systems
What happens to tsunamis when they get into shallow water closer to the shore
they slow down but increase in height, growing up to 100ft tall
What happened with the Sulawesi tsunami
20 mins after the earthquake, a tsunami hit the shores of Sulawesi especially the town of Palu
Impacts of Sulawesi
Houses Damaged: would lead to a rise in homelessness & poverty. Could lead to rise in disease
Airports & ports closed: 3 of 9 airports and ports closed, reducing the amount of international aid that can arrive from other places so less people can be evacuated.
Responses of Sulawesi
Air transport: helps bring international aid, can evacuate people, combats closed ports & airports
Family tents: means people won’t have to sleep/live outside, reduces risk of disease for homeless people
Water purification: reduces risk of water borne diseases, reduces deaths, everyone can have safe water
Medical assistance: will reduce deaths from injury and diseases
Flora
plants
Fauna
animals
Coral reefs
Polyps / corals contain algae which exist with them in a symbiotic relationship - the polyps give the algae a home and the algae give the polyps the food that they generate through photosynthesis.
Constructive plate boundary
two tectonic plates moving apart
causes earthquakes and volcanoes
Conservative plate boundary
two tectonic plates sliding past each other
causes earthquakes
Collision plate boundary
two plates of similar densities moving together
causes earthquakes
Destructive plate boundary
oceanic plate subducting under a continental plate
causes earthquakes and volcanoes
Note 
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