An earthquake is the shaking of the
surface of the Earth. Earthquakes can be
extremely violent. They are caused by
abnormal movements of the
Earth's tectonic plates.
The study of earthquakes is
called seismology. Earthquakes are
usually quite brief, but may repeat. The
sudden release of tension in
the tectonic plates sends waves of
energy that travel through the
Earth. Seismology studies the cause,
frequency, type and size of earthquakes.
CAUSES OF EARTHQUAKE:
Earthquakes are usually caused when rock
underground suddenly breaks along a fault.
This sudden release of energy causes the
seismic waves that make the ground shake. effect of earthquakes which occurs when
When two blocks of rock or two plates are
rubbing against each other, they stick a
little. They don't just slide smoothly;
the rocks catch on each other. The rocks
are still pushing against each other, but
not moving. After a while, the rocks break
because of all the pressure that's built
up. When the rocks break, the earthquake
occurs.
EFFECTS OF EARTHQUAKES:
EARTHQUAKE HAZARDS:
Ground Shaking
Ground shaking is the most familiar effect
of earthquakes. It is a result of the
passage of seismic waves through the ground, which can travel vast distances in a short
and ranges from quite gentle in small
earthquakes to incredibly violent in large
earthquakes.
Ground Rupture
Ground rupture is another important
the earthquake movement along a fault
actually breaks the Earth's surface.
Landslides
Landslides are caused by earthquakes both
by direct rupture and by sustained
shaking of unstable slopes. They can
easily destroy buildings in their path,
or block roads and railroad lines, or take
hilltop homes with them as they tumble.
Tsunami
Tsunamis, which are popularly -- and
incorrectly -- known as ``tidal waves,''
are a grave hazard to many parts of the
world, particularly around the Pacific
Ocean basin. Tsunamis are a series of
water waves caused when the seafloor
moves vertically in an earthquake and
period of time.
Liquefaction, Subsidence, and
Related Effects
Liquefaction and subsidence of the ground
are important effects which often are the
cause of much destruction in earthquakes,
particularly in unconsolidated ground.
Liquefaction is when sediment grains are
literally made to float in groundwater,
which causes the soil to lose all its
solidity. Subsidence can then follow as
the soil recompacts. Sand blows, or sand
volcanoes, form when pressurized jets of
groundwater break through the surface.
They can spray mud and sand over an area
a few meters across. All of these effects
pose a grave danger to buildings, roads,
train lines, airport runways, gas lines,
etc.
Fire
Fires are a major source of damage after
earthquakes. Ground rupture and
liquefaction can easily rupture natural
gas mains and water mains, both
contributing to the ignition of fires and
hindering the efforts to control them.
 Don't leave heavy objects on shelves
(they'll fall during a quake).
 Anchor heavy furniture, cupboards,
and appliances to the walls or floor.
 Learn the earthquake plan at your
school or workplace.
WHY DO WE NEED TO PREPARE FOR AN
EARTHQUAKE?
Being prepared can reduce the fear,
anxiety and losses that accompany
disasters. Communities, families, and
individuals should know what to do in the
event of an earthquake and where to seek
shelter during a fire. They should be
ready to evacuate their homes and take
refuge in public shelters and know how to
care for their basic medical needs. You
can reduce the impact of disasters by
flood proofing, securing items that
might shake loose in an earthquake, and
taking other pre-emergency precautions.
Stay away from windows and outside
doors.
 If you're outdoors, stay in the open
away from power lines or anything
that might fall. Stay away from
buildings (stuff might fall off the
building or the building could fall
on you).
 Don't use matches, candles, or any
flame. Broken gas lines and fire
don't mix.
 If you're in a car, stop the car and
stay inside the car until the
earthquake stops.
 Don't use elevators (they'll
probably get stuck anyway).

 Learn how to turn off the gas, water,

and electricity.
 Learn first aid.
 Make sure you have a fire  Stay calm! If you're indoors, stay
extinguisher, first aid kit, a inside. If you're outside, stay
battery-powered radio, a flashlight, outside.
and extra batteries at home.  If you're indoors, stand against a  Check yourself and others for
 Make up a plan of where to meet your wall near the center of the building, injuries. Provide first aid for
family after an earthquake. stand in a doorway, or crawl under anyone who needs it.
heavy furniture (a desk or table).
 Check water, gas, and electric lines
for damage. If any are damaged, shut
off the valves. Check for the smell
of gas. If you smell it, open all the
windows and doors, leave immediately,
and report it to the authorities (use
someone else's phone).
 Turn on the radio. Don't use the phone
unless it's an emergency.
 Stay out of damaged buildings.
 Be careful around broken glass and
debris. Wear boots or sturdy shoes
to keep from cutting your feet.
 Be careful of chimneys (they may fall
on you).
 Stay away from beaches. Tsunamis and
seiches sometimes hit after the
ground has stopped shaking.
 Stay away from damaged areas.
 If you're at school or work, follow
the emergency plan or the
instructions of the person in
charge.
 Expect aftershocks.
DOS AND DON’TS DURING AN
EARTHQUAKE:
 Take cover under a strong table or
any other piece of furniture and stay
put until the shaking stops. Search
for a corner in your house.
 Stay away from glass, window doors,
walls and any other weak structure
that may fall.
 Try to keep your cool and don't run
around here and there, coming out of
your houses. Move away from tall
buildings, trees, streetlights and
utility wires.
 Once out of your houses, stay in open
space till the shaking stops. Most
casualties result from collapsing
walls and falling objects.
 If travelling in a vehicle stop as
quickly as possible, but never near
a tree, or a building or a structure
that might collapse.
 Proceed cautiously once the
earthquake has stopped and always
avoid roads, bridges that might have
been damaged by the earthquake.
Can scientists predict
earthquakes?
No, and it is unlikely they will ever be
able to predict them. Scientists have
tried many different ways of predicting
earthquakes, but none have been
successful. On any particular fault,
scientists know there will be another
earthquake sometime in the future, but
they have no way of telling when it will
There are many countries who
experience earthquakes on a fairly
regular basis. The largest ever
recorded took place in Chile, near
Valdivia.
In Japan, there are at least 1500
earthquakes per year, which makes out
to about 2-3 per day. Luckily, most of
them are smaller. Below are some of the
countries that are most prone to
happen.
earthquakes in the world!
EARTHQUAKE PRONE COUNTRIES:
 Japan
 Nepal
 India
 Ecuador
 Philippines
  Pakistan
 El Salvador
 Mexico
 Turkey
 Indonesia

EARTHQUAKE FACTOS:
Deadliest earthquake
Shaanxi earthquake is the deadliest
earthquake in human history by the number
of death.
This worst earthquake happened on the
morning of Jan 23, 1556, in Shaanxi, a
province in China.
This earthquake killed around 830000
people in the country. Moreover, the
population of the two provinces was
almost killed by 60%.

We do not feel most of the

earthquakes
Millions of earthquakes occur every year
on the earth’s surface and oceanic floor.
Most of them are so weak that they cannot
be felt; only sensitive instruments can
record these earthquakes.
Earthquakes whose magnitudes are below
3.0 on the Richter scale are mostly not
be felt by a human being.