An earthquake is caused by the sudden release of built-up energy along fault lines in the earth's crust. Most earthquakes occur along plate boundaries and fault lines, especially around the Pacific Ring of Fire. Earthquakes can cause tremendous damage through ground shaking and secondary effects like tsunamis. Recent major quakes in Nepal and Japan killed over 9,000 and led to widespread destruction. While earthquakes can't be prevented, communities can take steps to minimize damage by strengthening buildings and infrastructure and preparing emergency plans.

1. Earthquakes
Adrian Hernandez
Jennifer Gutierrez
Christian Williford
Shaneikah Grant

2. • An earthquake is a shaking of the ground caused by the sudden breaking and
movement of large sections (tectonic plates) of the earth's rocky outermost
crust. • The edges of the tectonic plates are marked by faults (or fractures).
• An Earthquake is the result of a sudden release of energy in the earth
crust that causes seismic waves, they are recorded by seismometer
also called a seismograph.

3. Where is it Happening?
• Earthquakes happen all over the world
along plate edges and along faults
• Most of them occur along the edge of
the ocean and continental plates
• Alaska is one of the most active
regions in the world, they experience a
magnitude 7 earthquake almost every
year
• 90% of the worlds earthquakes occur
in the Ring of Fire surrounding the
Pacific Ocean

4. The Ring Of Fire

5. How does it affect life?
• Countless lives continued to be destroyed or people lose others that they care about
when major earthquakes hit in populated areas
• Earthquakes leave nothing but destruction behind them leaving others to rebuild
after the damage is done
• On April 25 Nepal was hit with a 7.8 or 8.1 Magnitude earthquake that killed over
9,000 people and injured more than 23,000

6. Earthquake Results
• Earthquakes do more than just shake the ground, depending on where the
earthquake first strikes it can lead to a second wave of devastation.
• If a big enough earthquake hits in the ocean not only will it be felt on land
but the quake will cause a tsunami as we seen throughout the past years.
• After the first quake it is usually followed by aftershocks usually they aren't
as strong but in some cases they are still strong.

7. Japan Tsunami

9. Problem with this Topic
• The problem with earthquakes is there is
nothing we can do to prevent them from
happening we can barely predict when they
are going to happen and that isn't always
guaranteed but we must some how figure a
way out to workaround them.

10. Some Solutions
• There are a few solutions to having excessive damage caused during an earthquake.
Since there is no way to prevent them or even predict them all we can to is take
preventative measures. A solution is to build earthquake safe buildings.
• Bolting down furniture and other hinges throughout the house holding items down and
having kits with necessities needed in an emergency is very important and even having
family plans as to what to do in case of an earthquake.

11. Works Cited
1. Q, By Charles. "California Faces Threat of Earthquake-Triggered Tsunamis."
<i>LiveScience</i>. TechMedia Network, 06 Sept. 2015. Web. 08 Oct. 2015.
2. “USGS: Volcano Hazards Program California Volcano Observatory.” USGS: Volcano Hazards
Program California Volcano Observatory. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Oct.
2015.<http://volcanos.usgs.gov/observatories/calvo/>.
3. “Historic World Earthquakes.” Historic World Earthquakes. 14 Jan. 2015. Web. 1 Oct. 2015.
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/world/historical.php
4. Ammon, Charels. “Earthquake Effects.” eqseis.geosc.psu.edu. SLU EAS A-193 Class Notes, 01
Aug. 2001. Web. 02 Oct. 2015.