Earthquakes - Earthquakes

Vocabulary

Fault - It is a fracture in the Earth's crust through which movement has occurred. It happens when due to stresses in the Earth’s interior.

Earthquake - It is a sudden and violent shaking of the ground caused by the movement of the tectonic plates beneath the earth. It can occur on land or under the ocean. 

Seismic Waves - These waves travel through the Earth, causing ground shaking and damage, leading to an earthquake

PhiVolcs - Philippine institute of volcanology and seismology

Pacific Ring of Fire

• The Pacific Ring of Fire is an area of intense seismic activity that circles the Pacific Ocean. It's characterized by a chain of volcanoes and frequent earthquakes.

• This ring is a result of tectonic plate interactions where the Pacific Plate collides with other plates, creating subduction zones that trigger volcanic activity and earthquakes.

Seismic Activities and Location

Plate Boundaries - Most earthquakes occur along plate boundaries, where tectonic plates interact.

Fault Zones - Within these boundaries, fault zones are areas of weakness where rocks fracture and slip, leading to earthquakes.

Seismic Risk - Countries located on or near active fault zones face a higher risk of earthquakes.

Anatomy

Fault - the fracture in the Earth’s crust
Epicenter - The point on the Earth’s surface that is directly above the focus
Focus- the point inside the Earth where an earthquake starts to rupture
Seismic Waves - waves that transmit the energy from the earthquake
Tectonic Plates - massive rocks that make up the Earth’s outer layer