Difference between revisions of "Earthquake"
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An [[earthquake]] is when the ground shakes. | An [[earthquake]] is when the ground shakes. | ||
| − | ==Key Stage 3 | + | ==Key Stage 3== |
===Meaning=== | ===Meaning=== | ||
An [[earthquake]] is when the ground shakes. | An [[earthquake]] is when the ground shakes. | ||
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: [[Earthquake]]s are usually caused by [[Tectonic Plate|tectonic plates]] rubbing against each other. | : [[Earthquake]]s are usually caused by [[Tectonic Plate|tectonic plates]] rubbing against each other. | ||
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==Key Stage 4== | ==Key Stage 4== | ||
===Meaning=== | ===Meaning=== | ||
| − | An '''Earthquake''' is when the ground undergoes a violent shaking motion. This often results in damage to the [[local]] environment and severe loss of life. | + | An '''Earthquake''' is when the ground undergoes a violent shaking motion as a result of [[tectonic plate|plate]] movement. This often results in damage to the [[local]] environment and severe loss of life. |
===About Earthquakes=== | ===About Earthquakes=== | ||
'''Earthquakes''' occur along all three types of [[Tectonic Plate Margin]] when tension builds up as the [[Tectonic Plate|plates]] move. | '''Earthquakes''' occur along all three types of [[Tectonic Plate Margin]] when tension builds up as the [[Tectonic Plate|plates]] move. | ||
| − | + | [[Destructive Plate Margin]]s typically occur between a [[Continental Plate|continental plate]] and [[Oceanic Plate|oceanic plate]]. Upon collision, the denser [[Oceanic Plate|oceanic plate]] is forced under the lighter [[Continental Plate|continental plate]] in a process known as [[Subduction|subduction]]. There is a huge build-up of [[friction]] between the two plates as this happens, until the [[force]] becomes so great the plates no longer move. As the plates are released and jerk away from each other they release shock waves that that spread from the [[Focus|focus]] deep in the [[mantle]] where the plates are coming together. The shock waves are then felt on the surface of the [[crust]] and they are most strongly felt at the [[Epicentre]] which is the point directly above the [[focus]]. This is an '''earthquake'''. | |
| − | At [[Conservative Plate Margin]]s | + | At [[Conservative Plate Margin]]s the plates grind past each other causing a build-up of [[friction]]. As tension builds the plates eventually become stuck. As the plates are released and jerk away from each other they release shock waves that that spread from the [[Focus (Earthquake)|focus]] deep in the [[mantle]]. The shock waves are then felt on the surface of the [[crust]] in the form of an '''earthquake'''. The shock waves are most strongly felt at the [[Epicentre]] which is the point directly above the [[Focus (Earthquake)|focus]]. |
At [[Constructive Plate Margin]]s the plates are moving away from each other and this causes cracks in the plates as they move. Tension then builds in these cracks and is eventually released in the form of shock waves that can be felt of the surface of the earth at the [[crust]] as an '''earthquake'''. | At [[Constructive Plate Margin]]s the plates are moving away from each other and this causes cracks in the plates as they move. Tension then builds in these cracks and is eventually released in the form of shock waves that can be felt of the surface of the earth at the [[crust]] as an '''earthquake'''. | ||
Latest revision as of 14:33, 20 September 2020
Contents
Key Stage 2
Meaning
An earthquake is when the ground shakes.
Key Stage 3
Meaning
An earthquake is when the ground shakes.
About Earthquakes
- Earthquakes are usually caused by tectonic plates rubbing against each other.
Key Stage 4
Meaning
An Earthquake is when the ground undergoes a violent shaking motion as a result of plate movement. This often results in damage to the local environment and severe loss of life.
About Earthquakes
Earthquakes occur along all three types of Tectonic Plate Margin when tension builds up as the plates move.
Destructive Plate Margins typically occur between a continental plate and oceanic plate. Upon collision, the denser oceanic plate is forced under the lighter continental plate in a process known as subduction. There is a huge build-up of friction between the two plates as this happens, until the force becomes so great the plates no longer move. As the plates are released and jerk away from each other they release shock waves that that spread from the focus deep in the mantle where the plates are coming together. The shock waves are then felt on the surface of the crust and they are most strongly felt at the Epicentre which is the point directly above the focus. This is an earthquake.
At Conservative Plate Margins the plates grind past each other causing a build-up of friction. As tension builds the plates eventually become stuck. As the plates are released and jerk away from each other they release shock waves that that spread from the focus deep in the mantle. The shock waves are then felt on the surface of the crust in the form of an earthquake. The shock waves are most strongly felt at the Epicentre which is the point directly above the focus.
At Constructive Plate Margins the plates are moving away from each other and this causes cracks in the plates as they move. Tension then builds in these cracks and is eventually released in the form of shock waves that can be felt of the surface of the earth at the crust as an earthquake.
Earthquakes come in a variety of strengths therefore there is a scale that shows you how strong each earthquake is and how much damage it is likely to do. This is called the moment magnitude scale. This scale measures the amount of energy released by an earthquake and is measured logarithmically. This means that a magnitude 2 earthquake is ten times stronger than a magnitude 1 earthquake. Earthquakes below magnitude 6 only cause slight damage to buildings and earthquakes magnitude 7 and above can cause high levels of damage and large loss of life.
References
AQA
- Earthquake, pages 196, 210-11, GCSE Physics; Student Book, Collins, AQA
- Earthquakes, page 192, GCSE Physics, Hodder, AQA
- Earthquakes, page 90, GCSE Physics; The Revision Guide, CGP, AQA
- Earthquakes, pages 285, 286, GCSE Physics; The Complete 9-1 Course for AQA, CGP, AQA