Earthquakes are caused by the sudden release of built-up energy along fault lines in the earth's crust. They begin at a focal point below the surface and radiate seismic waves outward. The location directly above the focus on the earth's surface is called the epicenter, which is important for understanding where damage and shaking will be strongest. Earthquakes are measured on the Richter scale, which quantifies the amount of energy released. Areas near fault lines are more susceptible to earthquakes, and the severity of shaking and damage depends on the quake's magnitude, distance from the epicenter, and local geology.

1. Earthquakes!

3. Deadliest Earthquakes The earthquake that caused the most destruction in history occurred in the Shansi province of China on January 23,1556. An estimated 830,000 people were killed. The second most destructive earthquake also occurred in China--in July, 1976--and killed 255,000 people.

4. Recent 'Quakes -900 -600 -300 -150 -70 -33 0

5. Recent 'Quakes

8. Worldwide 'Quakes

10. The definition of an earthquake is… vibrations that cause the breaking of rocks . These vibrations move in all directions through the earth. They begin at a point along a fault . What is an Earthquake?

11. The earth’s crust is constantly experiencing pressure from forces within and around it. This pressure builds up over time, and eventually causes the crust to break. This becomes a fault . Let’s experience it… How do faults form?

12. Faults are divided into three main groups: Normal fault - when two plates are moving apart and one side of the fracture moves below the other; (caused by tension forces!) Reverse fault - when two plates collide and one side of the fracture moves on top of another; (caused by compression forces!!) Strike-slip or Lateral - when two plates slide past each other. (caused by shear forces!) Kinds of Faults...

13. An earthquake begins along a fault (a crack in the earth’s surface) at a point called the focus . Directly above the focus is a point on the earth’s surface called the epicenter. What is an Earthquake?

14. Where does an earthquake begin? Focus Epicenter

15. Seismologists have stations all over the world that continuously collect information about earthquakes. This kind of information can help scientists figure out where larger, more destructive earthquakes may strike by mapping out the location of smaller ‘quakes. They also get a greater understanding of the changes the earth’s crust makes as the earthquakes occur. How do they do this??? Why is the epicenter important?

16. When the fault ruptures with a sudden movement energy is released that has built up over the years. This energy is released in the form of vibrations called 'seismic waves '… earthquakes! It is actually when these seismic waves reach the surface of the earth that most of the destruction occurs, which we associate with earthquakes. What is an Earthquake?

19. Earthquakes can also cause landslides, sudden eruptions as in the case of a hot lava flow from a volcano or giant waves called tsunamis. Sometimes new land mass are also formed. Such earthquakes are attributed with the creation of the greatest undersea mountain range and the longest land mountain range. What Kind of Damage Do They Do?

20. San Francisco, 1989

21. San Francisco, 1989

22. San Francisco, 1989

23. San Francisco, 1989

24. San Francisco, 1989

25. San Francisco, 1989

26. San Francisco, 1989

27. San Francisco, 1989 … And that was just a 7.2 on the Richter scale!

28. Haiti 2010

31. Earthquakes are measured using the Richter Scale. The strongest earthquake ever measured was a 9.5 on the Richter Scale. This is a measurement of the amount of energy released from the earthquake. How are earthquakes measured?

33. 9.5 Chile, May 22, 1960 9.2 Indian Ocean (Sumatra tsunami) Dec 26,2004 9.2 Prince William Sound, Alaska, March 28, 1964 9.1 Andreanof Islands, Aleutian Islands, Pacific, March 9, 1957 9.0 Kamchatka, Russia, November 4, 1952 8.8 Off the Coast of Ecuador, January 31, 1906 8.7 Rat Islands, Aleutian Islands, Pacific, February 4, 1965 8.6 India-China Border, August 15, 1950 8.5 Kamchatka, Russia, February 3, 1923 8.5 Banda Sea, Indonesia, February 1, 1938 8.5 Kuril Islands, Pacific, October 13, 1963 Strongest Earthquakes

34. Magnitude is a number that characterizes the relative size of earthquakes & is proportional to energy released

35. ...and in the 48 states In the lower 48 states, there is a tie between the February 1812, New Madrid, Missouri earthquake and the January 1857, Fort Tejon, California earthquake--both magnitude 7.9--for the strongest earthquake recorded.

36. Mercalli Scale

37. If an earthquake hit New Madrid Mercalli Scale Damage with a (new) New Madrid earthquake

38. Ohio’s Fault Lines

39. Generally, during an earthquake you first will feel a swaying or small jerking motion, then a slight pause, followed by a more intense rolling or jerking motion. The duration of the shaking you feel depends on the earthquake's magnitude, your distance from the epicenter, and the geology of the ground under your feet. What Does an Earthquake Feel Like?

41. Aftershocks are smaller earthquakes which occur in the same general area during the days to years following a larger event or "mainshock". As a general rule, aftershocks represent minor readjustments along the portion of a fault that slipped at the time of the main shock. The frequency of these aftershocks decreases with time. What is an aftershock?

42. Often, earthquakes can be a sign of things to come, like in the case of Mt. St. Helen’s in Washington. Earthquake Predictors?

43. At 8:32 Sunday morning, May 18, 1980, Mount St. Helens erupted. Shaken by an earthquake measuring 5.1 on the Richter scale, the north face of this tall symmetrical mountain collapsed in a massive rock debris avalanche. Nearly 230 square miles of forest was blown over or left dead and standing. At the same time a mushroom-shaped column of ash rose thousands of feet skyward and drifted downwind, turning day into night as dark, gray ash fell over eastern Washington and beyond. The eruption lasted 9 hours, but Mount St. Helens and the surrounding landscape were dramatically changed within moments. Mt. St. Helens

44. Mt. St. Helens This photograph was taken during the 1980 eruption. Is this volcano active again??? The seismic data says… YES!

45. Mt. St. Helens Before After

46. Volcanoes... Notice, this volcano really blew its top… literally! Mt. St. Helens Today

47. Anything else you want to know?!? Visit the classroom blog…