In the News - Earthquakes
An earthquake is a sudden movement of the Earth, caused by the abrupt release of strain that has accumulated over a long time. For hundreds of millions of years, the forces of plate tectonics have shaped the Earth as the huge plates that form the Earth's surface slowly move over, under, and past each other. While sometimes the movement is gradual, at other times, the plates are locked together, unable to release the accumulating energy. When the accumulated energy grows strong enough, the plates break free. If the earthquake occurs in a populated area, it may cause many deaths and injuries and extensive property damage.
- Normal - Normal events involve downward movement on a sloping fault as the fault's two sides move apart. They signify extension or stretching of the Earth's crust.
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Reverse (thrust) - Reverse or thrust events involve upward movement, instead, as the fault's two sides move together. They signify compression of the crust.
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Strike-slip - Strike-slip faults are steep structures where the two sides of the fault slip horizontally past each other.
- Earthshaking science : what we know (and don't know) about earthquakes by Susan Elizabeth Hough
- Earthshock : hurricanes, volcanoes, earthquakes, tornadoes, and other forces of nature by Andrew Robinson
- Furnace of creation, cradle of destruction : a journey to the birthplace of earthquakes, volcanoes, and tsunamis by Roy Chester
Websites
- U.S. Geological Survey Earthquake Hazards Program - This web site is provided by the United States Geological Survey’s (USGS) Earthquake Hazards Program as part of our effort to reduce earthquake hazard in the United States. On this site you can learn everything you want to know about earthquakes, how they are monitored, and what research scientists are doing to reduce earthquake hazards.
- Recent Earthquakes - Put together by the USGS. It provides information about recent and real-time earthquakes for the United States and the World. You can also sign up for earthquake notifications.
- FEMA for Kids! Disaster Connection Earthquakes - Information about earthquakes for kids put together by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
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