essay on causes of earthquake

Earthquake Cause and Effect Essay Sample

Earthquakes are one of the worst and deadliest natural disasters that can occur. They are due to different factors and leave behind after-effects in their wake. An earthquake is the sudden release of strain energy in the crust of the planet’s surface, which will result in shaking that resonates outwards from the source. Simply, it is the sudden shaking of the Earth’s surface and can also be called a quake, tremor, or tremblor.

Earthquakes come in different sizes, as some are weak and cannot be felt, while others are violent and can destroy cities. The frequency, size, and type of quakes experienced are called seismicity. Earthquakes can be a result of volcanic action too. Furthermore, they have various effects that disturb lives and property.

The Valdivia Earthquake, also known as the Great Chilean, is the most powerful earthquake ever recorded. It occurred on the 22 nd of May, 1960, with studies placing it between 9.4 and 9.6 on the moment magnitude scale. The main cause of the quake was tension released by the Nazca plate under the South American plate. The earthquake lasted for about 10 minutes and resulted in tsunamis that affected Hawaii, southern Chile, eastern New Zealand, the Aleutian Islands, Japan, southeast Australia, and the Philippines.

Earthquakes are one of the most destructive and fascinating natural disasters that can cause a huge amount of destruction, injuries, and even death, but what makes them so dangerous? In this earthquake cause and effect essay sample, we will attempt to answer this question and explore why earthquakes occur and what effects they can have on society and the environment. Earthquakes are caused by sudden movement of the earth’s crust resulting from a release of energy from the Earth’s interior, and can be triggered by many different things including human activities such as mining and construction. Understanding the processes behind earthquakes can help individuals and organizations make better plans for future mitigation and adaptation if an earthquake were to occur. Additionally, students can buy a coursework to learn how to plan for an earthquake and develop better understanding of how to prepare for and cope with natural disasters.

Causes of Earthquakes

The main cause of the quakes is the sudden release of stress from the faults in the Earth’s crust. In this guide on how to do a cause and effect essay , we will cover the causes of an earthquake. As the continuous motion of layers transpires, it causes a gradual build-up of pressure on both sides of a fault. This happens because of plate boundaries that are moving. Once the stress is too significant, it is released in a shaky movement. So, how are earthquakes caused? Here are the factors causing quakes.

Tectonic Movements of the Earth

One of the leading causes of an earthquake is movement from the tectonics. This is a shift of the planes making up the crust. Our planet consists of about a dozen major plates and several minor ones and is constantly changing.

The tectonic plates frequently move slowly, but sometimes, they get stuck because of friction. When the stress on the crust becomes more significant than the friction, an earthquake happens to release energy. This brings about a shaky feeling in steps through the planet’s crust. Little movement from the tectonic caused big things such as the happenings in the Ring of Fire.

Seismicity Ripples

Seismic waves are one of the causes of earthquakes. These are elastic ripples generated by an impulse, like an earthquake. The energy from the fault in the crust of the planet will radiate outward in different directions through seismicity. Think of it as ripples on a pond. As the ripples move through the surface, they shake the floor and anything on it. These can be in the form of ripples, which is when an earthquake happens more than once. North Carolina earthquake events occur because of seismicity, although they don’t have significant damage.

Compressions in the Crust of the Earth

Compression in the crust happens when plate tectonics are pushed together. The crust will become shorter and thicker, and depending on how it reacts to the force, it can lead to an earthquake. Due to compression, many quakes that occur in Australia are caused by these shifts along faults. Also, the main cause of the Northridge earthquake 1994 was the compressions on the planet’s surface.

Volcanic Eruptions

Volcanic eruptions are one of the less likely causes of an earthquake, depending on the volcano that erupts. The earthquake will be triggered when an explosion of an explosive volcano. These ripples have a wider effect than volcanic eruptions when they trigger an earthquake. In the case of volcanic eruptions, around 20 miles of the region around the volcano will be affected when it erupts. The largest volcanic tremor took place under Mount St. Helens in 1981 , with an intensity of 5.5.

Disturbances on the Surface

In general, an earthquake can be caused by disturbances on the surface. Technology advancement is one of the popular cause/effect essay topics , which is to some extent responsible for catastrophes like an earthquake. Humanity builds skyscrapers, constructs dams, and gets water from underground. Dams and reservoirs are known to trigger earthquakes, especially when a dam structure fails.

For instance, the 2008 happening in Sichuan , China, which killed about 70,000 persons, was triggered by the nearby Zipping Dam construction. Another disturbance is groundwater extraction, as this can destabilize an existing fault. Hydraulic fracking is a method of extracting natural resources. It works when shale formations underneath are injected with a mixture of chemicals and water at high pressure. Fracking has had such an impact on the environment causing earthquakes.

Big buildings and skyscrapers can also add significant pressure on the Earth’s surface and crack rudimentary rocks.

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Effects of Earthquakes

When an earthquake happens, it leaves behind five primary outcomes and fires, a significant secondary impact of quakes. The effects of earthquakes on the Earth are often devastating, with people getting killed and injured, buildings getting destroyed, and the emotional and mental health of those affected. That’s why the investigation of this topic is so crucial in minimizing the adverse outcomes.

If you need an essay discussing this or any similar topic, our custom essay writing services can help you get the job done quickly and professionally. Now, let’s get to the main repercussions of quakes.

Ground Shaking

One of the most negative effects of earthquakes is surface shaking. During this time, buildings can be damaged, humans and animals will not be able to stand up or move around, and objects can be tossed around regardless of how big they are. Lives are taken in earthquakes but not directly by the shaking. Instead, it is caused by shaking, like buildings collapsing or getting hit by large objects.

The shaking of unstable slopes and direct blowout during an earthquake can lead to a landslide. Landslides are harmful effects of earthquakes and can damage buildings, tumbling hilltop homes, and block roads and transport lines. When a landslide happens, parts of the planet slide down and block an area. It can affect transportation after the earthquake, causing increased expenditure and leading to injuries and death for people there.

Surface Rupture

Another effect of quakes is surface breaking, which happens when the earthquake breaks the surface. As the earthquake occurs along a fault-line, it breaks through the Earth’s surface and can damage roads, pipelines, railway lines, tunnels, and airport runways. They will be damaged in the aftermath of an earthquake. An example of surface damage during an earthquake was the 1906 quake in California. The main cause of the quake was a slip of the San Andreas fault. The San Andreas fault is a major fracture of the planet’s crust.

Although this is a less common effect, an earthquake causes a tsunami. Tsunamis are water or tidal shakes that cause grave danger to places around the world, especially those in the Pacific Northwest region. An earthquake can cause the seafloor to move vertically apart from the normal floor. This will shake up the ocean and come in a series of floods to the beach. Tsunamis can move more than 700 kilometers per hour, causing flooding. It can damage properties and lead to death and injury too. Places close to the ocean are often subjected to tsunamis during an earthquake.

Liquefaction

Liquefaction is one of the outcomes of an earthquake that happens on the unconsolidated surface. When sediment grains are made to float in groundwater, the soil will lose all its solidity, and this is liquefaction. Tremors and earthquakes can cause mud and sand to spray over a couple of meters, posing a danger to buildings, train lines, gas lines, roads, and airport runways. Buildings can tip over and sink because of the liquefied soils, as occurred in the 1964 Niigata earthquake in Japan. Even septic tanks and gas tanks can float to the surface. Liquefaction after earthquakes leads to damages worth millions of dollars.

Earthquakes can have devastating consequences, so learning more about their causes and effects can be extremely beneficial. Recently, scientists have made tremendous progress in understanding the mechanisms behind earthquakes. To develop a deeper understanding of earthquakes, students may be required to write a coursework for me exploring the causes and effects of them. For example, they can focus on exploring tectonic plates and how they move and affect the ground, as well as the effect of natural conditions like weather and climate on their development. Additionally, the effects of an earthquake, such as structural damage and the resulting landslides, tsunamis and fires, can be further investigated in other science studies.

This essay has highlighted the cause and effect of earthquakes.  Earthquakes are severe natural disasters caused by shifts in the crust of the Earth. Compressions on the planet’s surface, human disturbances like skyscrapers and dams, and tectonics moving can cause earthquakes.  When they occur, consequences like landslides, ruptures, tsunamis, and more will follow. Some of the top countries prone to quakes are China, Indonesia, Turkey, Peru, Iran, Turkey, the United States, Japan, and Italy. China has gone through 157 earthquakes between 1900 and 2016. People living in these areas have precautions taken to protect themselves from injury during an earthquake.

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Earthquake Essay for Students and Children

500+ Words Essay on Earthquake

Simply speaking, Earthquake means the shaking of the Earth’s surface. It is a sudden trembling of the surface of the Earth. Earthquakes certainly are a terrible natural disaster. Furthermore, Earthquakes can cause huge damage to life and property. Some Earthquakes are weak in nature and probably go unnoticed. In contrast, some Earthquakes are major and violent. The major Earthquakes are almost always devastating in nature. Most noteworthy, the occurrence of an Earthquake is quite unpredictable. This is what makes them so dangerous.

Types of Earthquake

Tectonic Earthquake: The Earth’s crust comprises of the slab of rocks of uneven shapes. These slab of rocks are tectonic plates. Furthermore, there is energy stored here. This energy causes tectonic plates to push away from each other or towards each other. As time passes, the energy and movement build up pressure between two plates.

Therefore, this enormous pressure causes the fault line to form. Also, the center point of this disturbance is the focus of the Earthquake. Consequently, waves of energy travel from focus to the surface. This results in shaking of the surface.

Volcanic Earthquake: This Earthquake is related to volcanic activity. Above all, the magnitude of such Earthquakes is weak. These Earthquakes are of two types. The first type is Volcano-tectonic earthquake. Here tremors occur due to injection or withdrawal of Magma. In contrast, the second type is Long-period earthquake. Here Earthquake occurs due to the pressure changes among the Earth’s layers.

Collapse Earthquake: These Earthquakes occur in the caverns and mines. Furthermore, these Earthquakes are of weak magnitude. Undergrounds blasts are probably the cause of collapsing of mines. Above all, this collapsing of mines causes seismic waves. Consequently, these seismic waves cause an Earthquake.

Explosive Earthquake: These Earthquakes almost always occur due to the testing of nuclear weapons. When a nuclear weapon detonates, a big blast occurs. This results in the release of a huge amount of energy. This probably results in Earthquakes.

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Effects of Earthquakes

First of all, the shaking of the ground is the most notable effect of the Earthquake. Furthermore, ground rupture also occurs along with shaking. This results in severe damage to infrastructure facilities. The severity of the Earthquake depends upon the magnitude and distance from the epicenter. Also, the local geographical conditions play a role in determining the severity. Ground rupture refers to the visible breaking of the Earth’s surface.

Another significant effect of Earthquake is landslides. Landslides occur due to slope instability. This slope instability happens because of Earthquake.

Earthquakes can cause soil liquefaction. This happens when water-saturated granular material loses its strength. Therefore, it transforms from solid to a liquid. Consequently, rigid structures sink into the liquefied deposits.

Earthquakes can result in fires. This happens because Earthquake damages the electric power and gas lines. Above all, it becomes extremely difficult to stop a fire once it begins.

Earthquakes can also create the infamous Tsunamis. Tsunamis are long-wavelength sea waves. These sea waves are caused by the sudden or abrupt movement of large volumes of water. This is because of an Earthquake in the ocean. Above all, Tsunamis can travel at a speed of 600-800 kilometers per hour. These tsunamis can cause massive destruction when they hit the sea coast.

In conclusion, an Earthquake is a great and terrifying phenomenon of Earth. It shows the frailty of humans against nature. It is a tremendous occurrence that certainly shocks everyone. Above all, Earthquake lasts only for a few seconds but can cause unimaginable damage.

FAQs on Earthquake

Q1 Why does an explosive Earthquake occurs?

A1 An explosive Earthquake occurs due to the testing of nuclear weapons.

Q2 Why do landslides occur because of Earthquake?

A2 Landslides happen due to slope instability. Most noteworthy, this slope instability is caused by an Earthquake.

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Latest Earthquakes |    Chat Share Social Media  

What is an earthquake and what causes them to happen?

An earthquake is caused by a sudden slip on a fault. The tectonic plates are always slowly moving, but they get stuck at their edges due to friction. When the stress on the edge overcomes the friction, there is an earthquake that releases energy in waves that travel through the earth's crust and cause the shaking that we feel.

In California there are two plates - the Pacific Plate and the North American Plate. The Pacific Plate consists of most of the Pacific Ocean floor and the California Coast line. The North American Plate comprises most the North American Continent and parts of the Atlantic Ocean floor. The primary boundary between these two plates is the San Andreas Fault. The San Andreas Fault is more than 650 miles long and extends to depths of at least 10 miles. Many other smaller faults like the Hayward (Northern California) and the San Jacinto (Southern California) branch from and join the San Andreas Fault Zone.

The Pacific Plate grinds northwestward past the North American Plate at a rate of about two inches per year. Parts of the San Andreas Fault system adapt to this movement by constant "creep" resulting in many tiny shocks and a few moderate earth tremors. In other areas where creep is NOT constant, strain can build up for hundreds of years, producing great earthquakes when it finally releases.

Learn More: Glossary of earthquake terms

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Foreshocks, aftershocks - what's the difference?

"Foreshock" and "aftershock" are relative terms. Foreshocks are earthquakes that precede larger earthquakes in the same location. An earthquake cannot be identified as a foreshock until after a larger earthquake in the same area occurs. Aftershocks are smaller earthquakes that occur in the same general area during the days to years following a larger event or "mainshock." They occur within 1-2...

Can the position of the moon or the planets affect seismicity? Are there more earthquakes in the morning/in the evening/at a certain time of the month?

Earthquakes are equally as likely to occur in the morning or the evening. Many studies in the past have shown no significant correlations between the rate of earthquake occurrence and the semi-diurnal tides when using large earthquake catalogs. Several recent studies, however, have found a correlation between earth tides (caused by the position of the moon relative to the earth) and some types of...

What is surface faulting or surface rupture in an earthquake?

Surface rupture occurs when movement on a fault deep within the earth breaks through to the surface. NOT ALL earthquakes result in surface rupture.

At what depth do earthquakes occur? What is the significance of the depth?

Earthquakes occur in the crust or upper mantle, which ranges from the earth's surface to about 800 kilometers deep (about 500 miles). The strength of shaking from an earthquake diminishes with increasing distance from the earthquake's source, so the strength of shaking at the surface from an earthquake that occurs at 500 km deep is considerably less than if the same earthquake had occurred at 20...

Why are there so many earthquakes in the Geysers area in Northern California?

The Geysers Geothermal Field is located in a tectonically active region of Northern California. The major seismic hazards in the region are from large earthquakes occurring along regional faults that are located miles away from the geothermal field, such as the San Andreas and Healdsburg-Rodgers Creek faults. However, activities associated with the withdrawal of steam for producing electric power...

Do earthquakes occur in Antarctica?

Earthquakes do occur in Antarctica, but not very often. There have been some big earthquakes--including one magnitude 8.1 --in the Balleny Islands (between Antarctica and New Zealand). The boundary between the Scotia Plate and the Antarctic Plate just grazes the north tip of the Antarctic Peninsula (look "northwest" from the Pole toward South America). There is also a hint of a line of seismicity...

Where can I find earthquake educational materials?

Start with our Earthquake Hazards Education site. That includes: Earthquakes for Kids Cool Earthquake Facts Earthquake Science for Everyone Other good starting points include: State Geological Surveys for states in earthquake-prone regions The Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills website SAGE (Seismological Facility for the Advancement of Geoscience), which is a non-profit consortium

Can we cause earthquakes? Is there any way to prevent earthquakes?

Earthquakes induced by human activity have been documented at many locations in the United States and in many other countries around the world. Earthquakes can be induced by a wide range of causes including impoundment of reservoirs, surface and underground mining, withdrawal of fluids and gas from the subsurface, and injection of fluids into underground formations. While most induced earthquakes...

What is the difference between aftershocks and swarms?

Aftershocks are a sequence of earthquakes that happen after a larger mainshock on a fault. Aftershocks occur near the fault zone where the mainshock rupture occurred and are part of the "readjustment process” after the main slip on the fault. Aftershocks become less frequent with time, although they can continue for days, weeks, months, or even years for a very large mainshock. A swarm, on the...

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Natural hazards science at the u.s. geological survey, earthquake hazards: a national threat, quaternary fault and fold database for the nation, the severity of an earthquake, this dynamic earth: the story of plate tectonics, the interior of the earth, our changing continent, "living in earthquake country: los angeles and the big one" - dr. lucy jones presentation at la natural history museum.

What causes earthquakes?

Thousands of temblors occur every day. Here’s what you need to know about where they usually take place and how they're measured.

Earthquakes, also called temblors, can be so tremendously destructive that it’s hard to imagine they occur by the thousands every day around the world, usually in the form of small tremors. Most are so small that humans can't feel them.

But every so often, a big quake will strike—most recently a 7.8-magnitude earthquake that struck southern Turkey and Syria on February 6, 2023, which scientists tell Reuters is likely to be one of the deadliest of this decade . Here's what you need to know about where earthquakes typically occur, how earthquakes are measured, and the damage that the strongest earthquakes can cause.

( Learn how to stay safe during these disastrous events .)

Where do most earthquakes occur?

Some 80 percent of all the planet's earthquakes occur along the rim of the Pacific Ocean, called the "ring of fire" because of the preponderance of volcanic activity there, as well. Most earthquakes occur at fault zones, where tectonic plates —giant rock slabs that make up Earth's upper layer—collide or slide against each other.

These impacts are usually gradual and unnoticeable on the surface; however, immense stress can build up between plates. When this stress is released quickly, it sends massive vibrations, called seismic waves, often hundreds of miles through the rock and up to the surface. Other quakes can occur far from fault zones when plates are stretched or squeezed.  

Fault types

There are several different types of faults, including a normal dip slip fault, reverse fault, and strike-slip fault. Here's what they mean. Strike-Slip When portions of the Earth's crust moves sideways, the result is a horizontal motion along a "strike-slip" fault. The most famous example is California's San Andreas Fault, which stretches some 600 miles (1,000 kilometers) from southern California to north of San Francisco. The sideways motion of the fault's branches is caused by the Pacific Ocean's crustal plate moving to the northwest under North America's continental crust. Dip-Slip Up-and-down motions in earthquakes occur over so-called "dip-slip" faults, where the ground above the fault zone either drops (a normal fault) or is pushed up (a reverse fault). A normal fault occurs where the deeper part of the crust is pulling away from an overlying part. A reverse is, well, just the reverse. An example of a normal fault is the 240-mile (150-kilometer) long Wasatch Fault underlying parts of Utah and Idaho, again caused by the Pacific plate driving under western North America. One magnitude 7.0 quake along the fault perhaps 550 years ago dropped the ground on one side of the fault by three feet (a meter). The U.S. Geological Survey sees the fault as posing a risk of more magnitude 7.0 earthquakes. Oblique Faults that combine sideways with up-and-down motions are called oblique by seismologists. The Santa Clara Valley south of San Francisco holds a fault prone to oblique motions, for example, seen in a 1999 quake.

Earthquake magnitude ratings

Scientists assign a magnitude rating to earthquakes based on the strength and duration of their seismic waves. A quake measuring 3 to 4.9 is considered minor or light; 5 to 6.9 is moderate to strong; 7 to 7.9 is major; and 8 or more is great.

Earthquakes are always followed by aftershocks, which are smaller quakes that strike after the main quake and can continue for weeks—or even up to years in some cases. According to the USGS , some earthquakes also have foreshocks, or smaller quakes that precede a larger earthquake.  

The strongest earthquake ever recorded was a magnitude 9.5 quake that struck southern Chile in 1960. The Valdivia earthquake —named for the city that suffered the most damage—killed about 1,655 people and left another two million homeless. It also triggered a tsunami that spread across the Pacific and flooded coastlines in Japan, Hawaii, and New Zealand.

Earthquake damage

On average, a magnitude 8 quake strikes somewhere every year, and some 10,000 people die in earthquakes annually. Collapsing buildings claim by far the majority of lives, but the destruction is often compounded by mud slides, fires, floods , or tsunamis . Smaller temblors that usually occur in the days following a large earthquake can complicate rescue efforts and cause further death and destruction.

Loss of life can be avoided through emergency planning, education , and the construction of buildings that sway rather than break under the stress of an earthquake.

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What Happens During an Earthquake?

This article was reviewed by a member of Caltech's Faculty .

What causes earthquakes, and what types of earthquakes are there? To answer these questions, it is first helpful to have an understanding of Earth’s composition.

Earth basics

Earth is made up of

• a solid inner core
• a molten outer core
• the thick and mostly solid mantle, which occupies approximately 84 percent of the earth's total volume
• the comparatively thin crust, which varies between 5 to 50 km in thickness.

Earth's outer skin is not a continuous surface. Instead, it is composed of massive segments called tectonic plates . Earthquakes occur along the boundaries between tectonic plates or at the site of cracks within the plates, which are called faults .

What causes earthquakes?

The tectonic plates that make up the earth's crust are moving constantly. As the edges of these plates slide against each other in fault zones, friction can slow them down, leading to the buildup of pressure over long periods of time. When the force of movement finally overcomes the friction, sections of the crust suddenly break or become displaced, releasing the pent-up pressure in the form of seismic waves. This is a naturally occurring earthquake, sometimes referred to as a tectonic earthquake .

While tectonic earthquakes can occur at any location around the world, the majority of large earthquakes—about 80 percent—occur at the circum-Pacific seismic belt found along the rim of the Pacific Ocean. Two other regions regularly exhibiting earthquakes include the Alpide belt, extending along the southern margin of Eurasia through the Himalayan Mountains, Sumatra, and Java; and the Mid-Atlantic Ridge running along the floor of the Atlantic Ocean.

When an earthquake occurs, different types of energy waves are generated.

• "P waves" or "primary waves" are the first waves to be detected. These are compressional waves that push and pull as they move through rock and fluids.
• "S waves" or "secondary waves" are the next waves to be detected. These waves move only through rock. They move up and down or side to side, perpendicular to the direction in which the wave is moving.
• Surface waves follow P and S waves. They travel along the surface of the earth and thus cause the most damage. Surface waves can be characterized as Love waves, which are faster and move the ground from side to side, and Rayleigh waves, which roll like waves on the surface of oceans and lakes.

What other types of earthquakes exist?

In addition to tectonic earthquakes, seismologists have classified three more earthquake types:

• Volcanic : Earthquakes that occur in conjunction with volcanic activity
• Collapse: Smaller-scale earthquakes that result from the subterranean collapse of caverns or mines
• Explosion: Earthquakes caused by underground explosions of nuclear or chemical devices.

Does fracking cause earthquakes?

"Fracking" is an informal term for hydraulic fracturing, a process used to increase the flow of oil or gas to a production well. It involves the injection of large volumes of water, sand, and chemicals under high pressure into a bedrock formation to create new fractures in the rock or increase the size, extent, and connectivity of existing fractures, leading to more permeability.

On rare occasions, fracking can lead directly to earthquakes . More frequently, earthquakes are induced by the disposal of waste water associated with the oil production into underground wells. Seismic events associated with fracking and waste fluid disposal tend to be low-level and dependent on conditions such as the injection rate and total volume injected, the proximity of faults near the injection site and the pathways permitting pressure to travel from the injection site to the fault, and the presence of stresses on faults that are large enough to produce earthquakes.

Dive Deeper

Seismic Waves

Scientists Identify Almost 2 Million Previously "Hidden" Earthquakes

Using Submarine Cables to Detect Earthquakes

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Earthquake Essay

Essay on Earthquake - An earthquake is a natural disaster that occurs when two tectonic plates collide. The force of the collision creates seismic waves that travel through the earth's crust, causing the ground to shake and buildings to collapse. Here are some sample essays on earthquakes.

• 100 Words Essay on Earthquake

Earthquakes can happen anywhere in the world, and although their occurrence is not predictable, there are some things you can do to make yourself more prepared in case one does strike. This includes having an earthquake kit ready to go, knowing how to drop, cover and hold on, and staying informed about any potential risks in your area. Make sure you have an emergency kit stocked with food, water, and other supplies, and know what to do when an earthquake hits. If you're not sure what to do, it's best to stay away from windows and other objects that could fall on you, and head to a safe place.

200 Words Essay on Earthquake

500 words essay on earthquake.

Earthquakes are a natural disaster that come with a lot of dangers. The shaking and movement of the earth can cause buildings to fall down, trapping people inside. The shaking caused by such a sudden change is usually very minor, but large earthquakes sometimes cause very large shaking of the land. The shaking waves spread from the spot at which rock begins breaking for the first time; this spot is called the center, or hypocenter, of an earthquake.

If you're inside when an earthquake starts, drop to the ground and cover your head. The earthquake's magnitude is related to the amount of earthquake energy released in a seismic event.

Different Types of Earthquakes

There are three types of earthquakes:

Shallow | A shallow earthquake is when the earthquake's focus is close to the surface of the Earth. These earthquakes are usually less powerful than the other two types, but can still cause a lot of damage.

Intermediate | Intermediate earthquakes have a focus that's located between the surface and the Earth's mantle, and are usually more powerful than shallow earthquakes.

Deep | Deep earthquakes have a focus that's located in the mantle, which is the layer of the Earth below the crust. They're the most powerful type of earthquake, and can even cause damage on the surface.

An earthquake can cause damage to buildings and bridges; interrupt gas, electrical, and telephone services; and occasionally trigger landslides, avalanches, flash flooding, wildfires, and massive, destructive waves of water over oceans (tsunamis).

The Dangers Associated With Earthquakes

The shaking of the ground can cause objects to fall off shelves and injure people. If you're outside when an earthquake starts, move away from tall buildings, streetlights and power lines.

An earthquake can also cause a tsunami, or a large wave, to form and crash onto the shore. Tsunamis can be very dangerous and can reach heights of over 100 feet.

How to Prepare for an Earthquake

When an earthquake is imminent, your first step should be to find a safe spot. The most ideal spots are under sturdy furniture or inside door frames. It is best to stay away from windows and anything that can fall over.

Once you've found the safest place, it's time to prepare for the shaking. Grab some blankets, pillows and helmets if possible – all of which can provide extra cushioning against falling objects.

Additionally, you should always keep an eye out for debris that could cause injuries, such as broken glass and sharp objects.

Finally, stay calm until the shaking stops, and monitor local news reports for additional information on how best to handle the situation.

What to do During an Earthquake

The moment an earthquake hits, it is important to stay as calm and collected as possible. Safety is the first priority so you must stay away from windows and furniture that can fall on you, and protect your head with your arms if needed.

If an earthquake occurs while you are indoors, stay away from anything that could fall or break such as windows, mirrors, or furniture. Do not run outdoors as shaking can cause glass and other materials to fall from the building structure. Instead, seek shelter under sturdy tables or desks. If there is no furniture available, move to a corner of the room and crouch down protectively with your arms over your head and neck.

It's also important to take note of any gas lines that could be affected during an earthquake and shut them off if necessary in order to prevent fires from breaking out due to exposed pipes.

After the Earthquake: Recovery and Assistance

When the shaking stops, there will be a period of recovery.

Don't enter any building if it has visible damage due to the earthquake - it's better to be safe than sorry.

You should contact local aid organisations like the Red Cross for additional help with sheltering, water, food and other essentials.

Stay in touch with local officials about any services provided for those affected by the earthquake.

Make sure you also have a plan for what to do if you're stuck in an earthquake, and know how to get in touch with loved ones in case of an emergency.

By being prepared and knowing what to do, you can help ensure that you and your loved ones are safe in the event of an earthquake.

Explore Career Options (By Industry)

• Construction
• Entertainment
• Manufacturing
• Information Technology

Data Administrator

Database professionals use software to store and organise data such as financial information, and customer shipping records. Individuals who opt for a career as data administrators ensure that data is available for users and secured from unauthorised sales. DB administrators may work in various types of industries. It may involve computer systems design, service firms, insurance companies, banks and hospitals.

Bio Medical Engineer

The field of biomedical engineering opens up a universe of expert chances. An Individual in the biomedical engineering career path work in the field of engineering as well as medicine, in order to find out solutions to common problems of the two fields. The biomedical engineering job opportunities are to collaborate with doctors and researchers to develop medical systems, equipment, or devices that can solve clinical problems. Here we will be discussing jobs after biomedical engineering, how to get a job in biomedical engineering, biomedical engineering scope, and salary. 

Ethical Hacker

A career as ethical hacker involves various challenges and provides lucrative opportunities in the digital era where every giant business and startup owns its cyberspace on the world wide web. Individuals in the ethical hacker career path try to find the vulnerabilities in the cyber system to get its authority. If he or she succeeds in it then he or she gets its illegal authority. Individuals in the ethical hacker career path then steal information or delete the file that could affect the business, functioning, or services of the organization.

GIS officer work on various GIS software to conduct a study and gather spatial and non-spatial information. GIS experts update the GIS data and maintain it. The databases include aerial or satellite imagery, latitudinal and longitudinal coordinates, and manually digitized images of maps. In a career as GIS expert, one is responsible for creating online and mobile maps.

Data Analyst

The invention of the database has given fresh breath to the people involved in the data analytics career path. Analysis refers to splitting up a whole into its individual components for individual analysis. Data analysis is a method through which raw data are processed and transformed into information that would be beneficial for user strategic thinking.

Data are collected and examined to respond to questions, evaluate hypotheses or contradict theories. It is a tool for analyzing, transforming, modeling, and arranging data with useful knowledge, to assist in decision-making and methods, encompassing various strategies, and is used in different fields of business, research, and social science.

Geothermal Engineer

Individuals who opt for a career as geothermal engineers are the professionals involved in the processing of geothermal energy. The responsibilities of geothermal engineers may vary depending on the workplace location. Those who work in fields design facilities to process and distribute geothermal energy. They oversee the functioning of machinery used in the field.

Database Architect

If you are intrigued by the programming world and are interested in developing communications networks then a career as database architect may be a good option for you. Data architect roles and responsibilities include building design models for data communication networks. Wide Area Networks (WANs), local area networks (LANs), and intranets are included in the database networks. It is expected that database architects will have in-depth knowledge of a company's business to develop a network to fulfil the requirements of the organisation. Stay tuned as we look at the larger picture and give you more information on what is db architecture, why you should pursue database architecture, what to expect from such a degree and what your job opportunities will be after graduation. Here, we will be discussing how to become a data architect. Students can visit NIT Trichy , IIT Kharagpur , JMI New Delhi . 

Remote Sensing Technician

Individuals who opt for a career as a remote sensing technician possess unique personalities. Remote sensing analysts seem to be rational human beings, they are strong, independent, persistent, sincere, realistic and resourceful. Some of them are analytical as well, which means they are intelligent, introspective and inquisitive. 

Remote sensing scientists use remote sensing technology to support scientists in fields such as community planning, flight planning or the management of natural resources. Analysing data collected from aircraft, satellites or ground-based platforms using statistical analysis software, image analysis software or Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is a significant part of their work. Do you want to learn how to become remote sensing technician? There's no need to be concerned; we've devised a simple remote sensing technician career path for you. Scroll through the pages and read.

Budget Analyst

Budget analysis, in a nutshell, entails thoroughly analyzing the details of a financial budget. The budget analysis aims to better understand and manage revenue. Budget analysts assist in the achievement of financial targets, the preservation of profitability, and the pursuit of long-term growth for a business. Budget analysts generally have a bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, economics, or a closely related field. Knowledge of Financial Management is of prime importance in this career.

Underwriter

An underwriter is a person who assesses and evaluates the risk of insurance in his or her field like mortgage, loan, health policy, investment, and so on and so forth. The underwriter career path does involve risks as analysing the risks means finding out if there is a way for the insurance underwriter jobs to recover the money from its clients. If the risk turns out to be too much for the company then in the future it is an underwriter who will be held accountable for it. Therefore, one must carry out his or her job with a lot of attention and diligence.

Finance Executive

Product manager.

A Product Manager is a professional responsible for product planning and marketing. He or she manages the product throughout the Product Life Cycle, gathering and prioritising the product. A product manager job description includes defining the product vision and working closely with team members of other departments to deliver winning products.  

Operations Manager

Individuals in the operations manager jobs are responsible for ensuring the efficiency of each department to acquire its optimal goal. They plan the use of resources and distribution of materials. The operations manager's job description includes managing budgets, negotiating contracts, and performing administrative tasks.

Stock Analyst

Individuals who opt for a career as a stock analyst examine the company's investments makes decisions and keep track of financial securities. The nature of such investments will differ from one business to the next. Individuals in the stock analyst career use data mining to forecast a company's profits and revenues, advise clients on whether to buy or sell, participate in seminars, and discussing financial matters with executives and evaluate annual reports.

A Researcher is a professional who is responsible for collecting data and information by reviewing the literature and conducting experiments and surveys. He or she uses various methodological processes to provide accurate data and information that is utilised by academicians and other industry professionals. Here, we will discuss what is a researcher, the researcher's salary, types of researchers.

Welding Engineer

Welding Engineer Job Description: A Welding Engineer work involves managing welding projects and supervising welding teams. He or she is responsible for reviewing welding procedures, processes and documentation. A career as Welding Engineer involves conducting failure analyses and causes on welding issues. 

Transportation Planner

A career as Transportation Planner requires technical application of science and technology in engineering, particularly the concepts, equipment and technologies involved in the production of products and services. In fields like land use, infrastructure review, ecological standards and street design, he or she considers issues of health, environment and performance. A Transportation Planner assigns resources for implementing and designing programmes. He or she is responsible for assessing needs, preparing plans and forecasts and compliance with regulations.

Environmental Engineer

Individuals who opt for a career as an environmental engineer are construction professionals who utilise the skills and knowledge of biology, soil science, chemistry and the concept of engineering to design and develop projects that serve as solutions to various environmental problems. 

Safety Manager

A Safety Manager is a professional responsible for employee’s safety at work. He or she plans, implements and oversees the company’s employee safety. A Safety Manager ensures compliance and adherence to Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) guidelines.

Conservation Architect

A Conservation Architect is a professional responsible for conserving and restoring buildings or monuments having a historic value. He or she applies techniques to document and stabilise the object’s state without any further damage. A Conservation Architect restores the monuments and heritage buildings to bring them back to their original state.

Structural Engineer

A Structural Engineer designs buildings, bridges, and other related structures. He or she analyzes the structures and makes sure the structures are strong enough to be used by the people. A career as a Structural Engineer requires working in the construction process. It comes under the civil engineering discipline. A Structure Engineer creates structural models with the help of computer-aided design software. 

Highway Engineer

Highway Engineer Job Description:  A Highway Engineer is a civil engineer who specialises in planning and building thousands of miles of roads that support connectivity and allow transportation across the country. He or she ensures that traffic management schemes are effectively planned concerning economic sustainability and successful implementation.

Field Surveyor

Are you searching for a Field Surveyor Job Description? A Field Surveyor is a professional responsible for conducting field surveys for various places or geographical conditions. He or she collects the required data and information as per the instructions given by senior officials. 

Orthotist and Prosthetist

Orthotists and Prosthetists are professionals who provide aid to patients with disabilities. They fix them to artificial limbs (prosthetics) and help them to regain stability. There are times when people lose their limbs in an accident. In some other occasions, they are born without a limb or orthopaedic impairment. Orthotists and prosthetists play a crucial role in their lives with fixing them to assistive devices and provide mobility.

Pathologist

A career in pathology in India is filled with several responsibilities as it is a medical branch and affects human lives. The demand for pathologists has been increasing over the past few years as people are getting more aware of different diseases. Not only that, but an increase in population and lifestyle changes have also contributed to the increase in a pathologist’s demand. The pathology careers provide an extremely huge number of opportunities and if you want to be a part of the medical field you can consider being a pathologist. If you want to know more about a career in pathology in India then continue reading this article.

Veterinary Doctor

Speech therapist, gynaecologist.

Gynaecology can be defined as the study of the female body. The job outlook for gynaecology is excellent since there is evergreen demand for one because of their responsibility of dealing with not only women’s health but also fertility and pregnancy issues. Although most women prefer to have a women obstetrician gynaecologist as their doctor, men also explore a career as a gynaecologist and there are ample amounts of male doctors in the field who are gynaecologists and aid women during delivery and childbirth. 

Audiologist

The audiologist career involves audiology professionals who are responsible to treat hearing loss and proactively preventing the relevant damage. Individuals who opt for a career as an audiologist use various testing strategies with the aim to determine if someone has a normal sensitivity to sounds or not. After the identification of hearing loss, a hearing doctor is required to determine which sections of the hearing are affected, to what extent they are affected, and where the wound causing the hearing loss is found. As soon as the hearing loss is identified, the patients are provided with recommendations for interventions and rehabilitation such as hearing aids, cochlear implants, and appropriate medical referrals. While audiology is a branch of science that studies and researches hearing, balance, and related disorders.

An oncologist is a specialised doctor responsible for providing medical care to patients diagnosed with cancer. He or she uses several therapies to control the cancer and its effect on the human body such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy and biopsy. An oncologist designs a treatment plan based on a pathology report after diagnosing the type of cancer and where it is spreading inside the body.

Are you searching for an ‘Anatomist job description’? An Anatomist is a research professional who applies the laws of biological science to determine the ability of bodies of various living organisms including animals and humans to regenerate the damaged or destroyed organs. If you want to know what does an anatomist do, then read the entire article, where we will answer all your questions.

For an individual who opts for a career as an actor, the primary responsibility is to completely speak to the character he or she is playing and to persuade the crowd that the character is genuine by connecting with them and bringing them into the story. This applies to significant roles and littler parts, as all roles join to make an effective creation. Here in this article, we will discuss how to become an actor in India, actor exams, actor salary in India, and actor jobs. 

Individuals who opt for a career as acrobats create and direct original routines for themselves, in addition to developing interpretations of existing routines. The work of circus acrobats can be seen in a variety of performance settings, including circus, reality shows, sports events like the Olympics, movies and commercials. Individuals who opt for a career as acrobats must be prepared to face rejections and intermittent periods of work. The creativity of acrobats may extend to other aspects of the performance. For example, acrobats in the circus may work with gym trainers, celebrities or collaborate with other professionals to enhance such performance elements as costume and or maybe at the teaching end of the career.

Video Game Designer

Career as a video game designer is filled with excitement as well as responsibilities. A video game designer is someone who is involved in the process of creating a game from day one. He or she is responsible for fulfilling duties like designing the character of the game, the several levels involved, plot, art and similar other elements. Individuals who opt for a career as a video game designer may also write the codes for the game using different programming languages.

Depending on the video game designer job description and experience they may also have to lead a team and do the early testing of the game in order to suggest changes and find loopholes.

Radio Jockey

Radio Jockey is an exciting, promising career and a great challenge for music lovers. If you are really interested in a career as radio jockey, then it is very important for an RJ to have an automatic, fun, and friendly personality. If you want to get a job done in this field, a strong command of the language and a good voice are always good things. Apart from this, in order to be a good radio jockey, you will also listen to good radio jockeys so that you can understand their style and later make your own by practicing.

A career as radio jockey has a lot to offer to deserving candidates. If you want to know more about a career as radio jockey, and how to become a radio jockey then continue reading the article.

Choreographer

The word “choreography" actually comes from Greek words that mean “dance writing." Individuals who opt for a career as a choreographer create and direct original dances, in addition to developing interpretations of existing dances. A Choreographer dances and utilises his or her creativity in other aspects of dance performance. For example, he or she may work with the music director to select music or collaborate with other famous choreographers to enhance such performance elements as lighting, costume and set design.

Social Media Manager

A career as social media manager involves implementing the company’s or brand’s marketing plan across all social media channels. Social media managers help in building or improving a brand’s or a company’s website traffic, build brand awareness, create and implement marketing and brand strategy. Social media managers are key to important social communication as well.

Photographer

Photography is considered both a science and an art, an artistic means of expression in which the camera replaces the pen. In a career as a photographer, an individual is hired to capture the moments of public and private events, such as press conferences or weddings, or may also work inside a studio, where people go to get their picture clicked. Photography is divided into many streams each generating numerous career opportunities in photography. With the boom in advertising, media, and the fashion industry, photography has emerged as a lucrative and thrilling career option for many Indian youths.

An individual who is pursuing a career as a producer is responsible for managing the business aspects of production. They are involved in each aspect of production from its inception to deception. Famous movie producers review the script, recommend changes and visualise the story. 

They are responsible for overseeing the finance involved in the project and distributing the film for broadcasting on various platforms. A career as a producer is quite fulfilling as well as exhaustive in terms of playing different roles in order for a production to be successful. Famous movie producers are responsible for hiring creative and technical personnel on contract basis.

Copy Writer

In a career as a copywriter, one has to consult with the client and understand the brief well. A career as a copywriter has a lot to offer to deserving candidates. Several new mediums of advertising are opening therefore making it a lucrative career choice. Students can pursue various copywriter courses such as Journalism , Advertising , Marketing Management . Here, we have discussed how to become a freelance copywriter, copywriter career path, how to become a copywriter in India, and copywriting career outlook. 

In a career as a vlogger, one generally works for himself or herself. However, once an individual has gained viewership there are several brands and companies that approach them for paid collaboration. It is one of those fields where an individual can earn well while following his or her passion. 

Ever since internet costs got reduced the viewership for these types of content has increased on a large scale. Therefore, a career as a vlogger has a lot to offer. If you want to know more about the Vlogger eligibility, roles and responsibilities then continue reading the article. 

For publishing books, newspapers, magazines and digital material, editorial and commercial strategies are set by publishers. Individuals in publishing career paths make choices about the markets their businesses will reach and the type of content that their audience will be served. Individuals in book publisher careers collaborate with editorial staff, designers, authors, and freelance contributors who develop and manage the creation of content.

Careers in journalism are filled with excitement as well as responsibilities. One cannot afford to miss out on the details. As it is the small details that provide insights into a story. Depending on those insights a journalist goes about writing a news article. A journalism career can be stressful at times but if you are someone who is passionate about it then it is the right choice for you. If you want to know more about the media field and journalist career then continue reading this article.

Individuals in the editor career path is an unsung hero of the news industry who polishes the language of the news stories provided by stringers, reporters, copywriters and content writers and also news agencies. Individuals who opt for a career as an editor make it more persuasive, concise and clear for readers. In this article, we will discuss the details of the editor's career path such as how to become an editor in India, editor salary in India and editor skills and qualities.

Individuals who opt for a career as a reporter may often be at work on national holidays and festivities. He or she pitches various story ideas and covers news stories in risky situations. Students can pursue a BMC (Bachelor of Mass Communication) , B.M.M. (Bachelor of Mass Media) , or  MAJMC (MA in Journalism and Mass Communication) to become a reporter. While we sit at home reporters travel to locations to collect information that carries a news value.  

Corporate Executive

Are you searching for a Corporate Executive job description? A Corporate Executive role comes with administrative duties. He or she provides support to the leadership of the organisation. A Corporate Executive fulfils the business purpose and ensures its financial stability. In this article, we are going to discuss how to become corporate executive.

Multimedia Specialist

A multimedia specialist is a media professional who creates, audio, videos, graphic image files, computer animations for multimedia applications. He or she is responsible for planning, producing, and maintaining websites and applications. 

Quality Controller

A quality controller plays a crucial role in an organisation. He or she is responsible for performing quality checks on manufactured products. He or she identifies the defects in a product and rejects the product. 

A quality controller records detailed information about products with defects and sends it to the supervisor or plant manager to take necessary actions to improve the production process.

Production Manager

A QA Lead is in charge of the QA Team. The role of QA Lead comes with the responsibility of assessing services and products in order to determine that he or she meets the quality standards. He or she develops, implements and manages test plans. 

Process Development Engineer

The Process Development Engineers design, implement, manufacture, mine, and other production systems using technical knowledge and expertise in the industry. They use computer modeling software to test technologies and machinery. An individual who is opting career as Process Development Engineer is responsible for developing cost-effective and efficient processes. They also monitor the production process and ensure it functions smoothly and efficiently.

AWS Solution Architect

An AWS Solution Architect is someone who specializes in developing and implementing cloud computing systems. He or she has a good understanding of the various aspects of cloud computing and can confidently deploy and manage their systems. He or she troubleshoots the issues and evaluates the risk from the third party. 

Azure Administrator

An Azure Administrator is a professional responsible for implementing, monitoring, and maintaining Azure Solutions. He or she manages cloud infrastructure service instances and various cloud servers as well as sets up public and private cloud systems. 

Computer Programmer

Careers in computer programming primarily refer to the systematic act of writing code and moreover include wider computer science areas. The word 'programmer' or 'coder' has entered into practice with the growing number of newly self-taught tech enthusiasts. Computer programming careers involve the use of designs created by software developers and engineers and transforming them into commands that can be implemented by computers. These commands result in regular usage of social media sites, word-processing applications and browsers.

Information Security Manager

Individuals in the information security manager career path involves in overseeing and controlling all aspects of computer security. The IT security manager job description includes planning and carrying out security measures to protect the business data and information from corruption, theft, unauthorised access, and deliberate attack 

ITSM Manager

Automation test engineer.

An Automation Test Engineer job involves executing automated test scripts. He or she identifies the project’s problems and troubleshoots them. The role involves documenting the defect using management tools. He or she works with the application team in order to resolve any issues arising during the testing process. 

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Essay on Earthquake

Students are often asked to write an essay on Earthquake in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Earthquake

What is an earthquake.

An earthquake is a sudden shaking of the Earth’s surface. It happens when the Earth’s tectonic plates move and clash with each other. This movement releases energy, causing the ground to shake.

Causes of Earthquakes

Earthquakes mainly occur due to the movement of tectonic plates. Sometimes, they can also be caused by volcanic eruptions or landslides.

Effects of Earthquakes

Earthquakes can cause buildings to collapse, landslides, and tsunamis. They can lead to loss of life and property.

Preventing Earthquake Damage

We can’t prevent earthquakes, but we can reduce their impact by building earthquake-resistant structures and planning for emergencies.

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250 Words Essay on Earthquake

Introduction.

Earthquakes, a natural phenomenon, are the shaking, rolling, or sudden shock of the earth’s surface. They are among the most powerful and terrifying events on earth.

Earthquakes are primarily caused by the movement of tectonic plates beneath the Earth’s surface. When these plates move past each other, they sometimes get stuck at their edges due to friction. When the stress on the edge overcomes the friction, there is an earthquake that releases energy in waves that travel through the earth’s crust and cause the shaking that we feel.

Impacts of Earthquakes

The impact of earthquakes can be devastating, leading to loss of life and massive damage to infrastructure. They can trigger landslides and tsunamis, further escalating the destruction. The 2011 earthquake off the Pacific coast of Tohoku, Japan, which triggered a destructive tsunami, is a stark reminder of their potential devastation.

Earthquake Preparedness

Knowledge and preparedness are key to minimizing the effects of earthquakes. Seismology, the study of earthquakes, has enabled us to understand their behavior and, to a certain extent, predict their occurrence. Building codes and emergency response strategies can also be developed to mitigate their impacts.

While we cannot prevent earthquakes, understanding their causes and effects can help us to prepare and mitigate their impacts. As we advance in technology and knowledge, we hope to improve our ability to predict and respond to these powerful natural phenomena.

500 Words Essay on Earthquake

Earthquakes, a natural phenomenon, are the sudden shaking or trembling of the Earth’s surface. They are caused by the movement of tectonic plates beneath the Earth’s crust. These movements release energy stored in the rocks causing the ground to shake, often resulting in significant damage and loss of life.

The Science Behind Earthquakes

The Earth’s lithosphere is divided into several large and small tectonic plates. These plates are continually moving, albeit very slowly, due to the convection currents in the underlying asthenosphere. When these plates interact at their boundaries, they may either move apart (divergent boundary), move towards each other (convergent boundary), or slide past each other (transform boundary). The majority of earthquakes occur along these plate boundaries.

The energy that causes an earthquake is stored in rocks as elastic strain energy. When the stress on the rock exceeds its strength, it breaks, releasing this stored energy as seismic waves. These waves travel through the Earth, causing the ground to shake.

Measuring Earthquakes

Earthquakes are measured using a seismometer, which records the seismic waves as a series of wiggly lines called a seismogram. The magnitude of an earthquake is quantified using the Richter scale, a logarithmic scale that measures the amplitude of seismic waves. The intensity of an earthquake, however, is measured by the Modified Mercalli scale, which takes into account the observed effects and damage caused by the earthquake.

The immediate effect of an earthquake is ground shaking, which can cause buildings to collapse, landslides, and even tsunamis if the earthquake occurs under the ocean. These can result in significant loss of life and property.

In the long term, earthquakes can change the Earth’s surface, causing changes in the landscape, altering river courses, and creating new landforms. They can also have significant socio-economic impacts, disrupting communities, economies, and infrastructure.

Earthquake Preparedness and Mitigation

As earthquakes can strike without warning, preparedness is crucial. This includes having an emergency plan, securing heavy items in buildings, and knowing how to ‘Drop, Cover, and Hold On’ during an earthquake.

Mitigation measures include land-use planning, adopting earthquake-resistant construction practices, and improving early warning systems. Moreover, understanding the science of earthquakes is key to predicting them, which can help in minimizing their impacts.

Earthquakes are a powerful reminder of the dynamic nature of our planet. Despite their destructive potential, they play a crucial role in shaping the Earth’s landscape. Understanding the science behind earthquakes and implementing effective preparedness and mitigation strategies can significantly reduce their devastating impacts. As we advance in technology and knowledge, we continue to find ways to coexist with this inevitable natural phenomenon.

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Essay on Earthquake

An earthquake is a natural phenomenon that manifests the dynamic nature of our planet. It is a seismic event characterized by the shaking of the ground caused by the sudden release of energy in the Earth’s lithosphere. This energy creates seismic waves that propagate through the Earth’s surface, leading to the ground shaking that we perceive as an earthquake. This essay delves into the causes of earthquakes, their effects, and the measures that can be taken to mitigate their impact, aiming to provide a comprehensive overview suitable for students participating in an essay writing competition.

The Causes of Earthquakes

The primary cause of earthquakes is the tectonic movements in the Earth’s crust. The Earth’s lithosphere is divided into several tectonic plates that float on the semi-fluid asthenosphere beneath. These plates are constantly moving, albeit very slowly, due to the convective currents in the mantle. Earthquakes occur when the stress accumulated along the edges of these tectonic plates is released suddenly. This stress can build up due to several factors:

• Plate Tectonics: Most earthquakes are triggered by the movement of tectonic plates, either by sliding past one another, colliding, or moving apart.
• Volcanic Activity: Volcanic earthquakes are a result of the movement of magma within the Earth, leading to tremors.
• Human Activities: Human activities such as mining, reservoir-induced seismicity due to the filling of large reservoirs behind dams, and even the extraction or injection of fluids into the Earth can trigger earthquakes.

Measuring Earthquakes

Earthquakes are measured using two main scales: the Richter Scale and the Mercalli Intensity Scale. The Richter Scale quantifies the energy released by an earthquake, using a logarithmic scale where each whole number increase corresponds to a tenfold increase in measured amplitude and roughly 31.6 times more energy release. The Mercalli Intensity Scale, on the other hand, measures the effects of an earthquake at different locations, taking into account the human experiences and structural damages.

Effects of Earthquakes

The impact of an earthquake can range from negligible to catastrophic, depending on its magnitude, depth, and the area’s vulnerability. Some of the significant effects include:

• Ground Shaking: The most immediate and noticeable effect of an earthquake is the shaking of the ground. This shaking can range from mild to violent, causing buildings, bridges, and infrastructure to sway or vibrate. Severe ground shaking can lead to structural damage and collapse.
• Surface Rupture: In some earthquakes, the Earth’s surface can rupture along the fault line where the earthquake occurred. This can result in visible cracks and displacements of the ground, damaging roads, pipelines, and buildings.
• Building and Infrastructure Damage: Earthquakes can cause extensive damage to buildings, homes, and infrastructure, particularly in areas with poor construction standards or older structures that are not earthquake-resistant. Collapsed buildings can lead to casualties and destruction.
• Landslides: The shaking of the ground during an earthquake can trigger landslides on steep slopes, burying homes, roads, and people under debris. Landslides can be especially dangerous in hilly or mountainous regions.
• Tsunamis: Underwater earthquakes, particularly those occurring along tectonic plate boundaries, can generate tsunamis. These large ocean waves can inundate coastal areas, causing widespread destruction and loss of life.
• Aftershocks: Following the main earthquake, there are often aftershocks, which are smaller seismic events that continue to shake the affected region. Aftershocks can hamper rescue and recovery efforts and further damage weakened structures.
• Fires: Earthquakes can rupture gas lines and damage electrical systems, leading to fires. The destruction of fire-fighting infrastructure and limited access to water can make it challenging to control these fires.
• Soil Liquefaction: In certain soil types, the intense shaking from an earthquake can cause the ground to temporarily lose its strength and behave like a liquid. This phenomenon, known as soil liquefaction, can result in the sinking or tilting of structures.
• Infrastructure Disruption: Earthquakes can disrupt essential infrastructure, such as transportation networks, water supply systems, and communication lines. This can hinder emergency response efforts and recovery operations.
• Psychological Impact: Earthquakes can have a profound psychological impact on individuals and communities. The fear and trauma associated with the event, as well as the loss of homes and loved ones, can lead to long-term emotional and mental health challenges.
• Economic Consequences: The economic impact of earthquakes can be significant, affecting local industries, businesses, and employment. Rebuilding and recovery efforts often require substantial financial resources.
• Environmental Effects: Earthquakes can have environmental consequences, such as the release of toxins from damaged industrial facilities, contamination of water sources, and disruptions to ecosystems.
• Human Casualties: Earthquakes can result in injuries and loss of life, depending on factors like the population density of the affected area, the quality of building construction, and the preparedness of the community.
• Displacement of Communities: In the aftermath of a severe earthquake, many people may be displaced from their homes, leading to temporary shelters and overcrowded living conditions.
• Long-Term Recovery: Recovery and reconstruction efforts following a significant earthquake can take years or even decades. Communities must rebuild infrastructure, homes, and businesses while addressing the physical and emotional scars left by the event.

Mitigation and Preparedness

While earthquakes cannot be prevented, the risk they pose can be significantly reduced through effective mitigation and preparedness measures:

• Building Codes: Implementing and enforcing strict building codes that require structures to withstand seismic forces can greatly reduce the damage and casualties during an earthquake.
• Early Warning Systems: Advances in seismology have led to the development of early warning systems that can provide precious seconds or even minutes of warning before the seismic waves reach populated areas.
• Public Education and Preparedness: Educating the public about what to do before, during, and after an earthquake can save lives and reduce injuries. This includes conducting regular earthquake drills, preparing emergency kits, and developing evacuation plans.
• Research and Monitoring: Continuous research and monitoring of seismic activity can help in understanding earthquake mechanisms and potentially in predicting significant seismic events in the future.

In conclusion, Earthquakes are a powerful reminder of the dynamic nature of our planet. They bring to light the forces that continuously shape the Earth’s surface, often with profound impacts on human societies. Understanding the causes and effects of earthquakes is crucial for developing effective strategies to mitigate their impact. Through advancements in science and technology, along with effective public policy and community preparedness, we can reduce the risk posed by earthquakes and enhance our resilience to these inevitable natural events. As we continue to learn from each seismic event, it becomes increasingly possible to safeguard our communities, minimize loss, and navigate the challenges posed by these tremors of our planet

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Home — Essay Samples — Environment — Earthquake — Earthquake and Its Devastating Effects

Earthquake and Its Devastating Effects

• Categories: Earthquake Natural Disasters

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Published: Jul 15, 2020

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Mitigation of Earthquake Hazards Essay

Introduction.

Mitigation is a complex term that is differently understood by different professionals. Most of them put mitigation as the reduction/ lessening of a threat thus making it less serious. It may not necessarily mean to do away completely with the threat.

In overcoming any threat like climate change, different personnel have to play part effectively so as to bring forth the desired results. Earthquakes have become a serious cause of rampant deaths and other destructions that are not pleasing. The community is trying to mitigate earthquakes to reduce the alarming deaths and destructions they cause.

Different personnel are to play part in this mitigation phase. The general way of eliminating any hazards is through education and so the school board has to play part in mitigation of earthquakes. Other personnel who are ought to take part in this mitigation are psychologists, geologists, construction engineers, architects and politicians. All theses parties found in the community and they work together with the school playing the biggest role to mitigate earthquakes (Godschalk, 1999).

The different personnel involved in mitigation of earthquakes have various roles they ought to play. To begin with we look at geologists. These are professionals who carry scientific study of the earth’s interior and the reactions and changes that take place in earth’s interior.

Geologists are in a position to know when an earthquake will occur and how strong it shall be. They can also identify the areas where earthquakes are frequent. The school board is a program that was set in the United States. It mainly deals with disaster preparedness, its mitigation and also how it can be managed.

The school board makes students in public schools to be aware of the hazards in the local community. Architects are personnel who design and control construction. They play an important role that is supposed to be done perfectly to avoid collapsing of buildings during earthquakes. Psychologists are scientist who study the minds of human beings and animals and also guide in control of problems related to the mind.

Psychologists play a big role in mitigating earthquakes by making people to be psychologically prepared to face the hazards. The construction engineers are professionals who budget and run the construction activities and also locate where the buildings shall be constructed. Politicians are people elected by the people to represent them in the government and also to lead those under their power (Ayothiraman & Hazarika, 2008).

All the above personnel can work systematically to mitigate earthquakes. The geologists after discovering how the hazard will be strong, they should let the psychologists know. This is in case of immediate earthquakes. The psychologists are then ought to prepare people’s brains to face the hazard.

The geologists should also inform the architects on the areas where earthquakes are likely to occur and how strong they will be able. This will enable the architects to design buildings that can withstand the strong shaking of the earth. The architects should also advice the construction engineers on where to use very strong materials to get strong buildings. The politicians in most cases play their roles after the catastrophes have hit.

The politicians should sympathize with the victims to make them be at peace. The politicians should also arrange for migration of people from areas where the earthquakes are going to hit strongly. Lastly, the school board plays a good role and they should work hand in hand to bring awareness to the public about earthquakes. The school board is ought to explain to the public on what to do after the calamity has hit (Godschalk, 1999).

The geologists, politicians, architects, construction engineers, psychologists and the school have a common role. This role is directed towards mitigating earthquakes. If each of the latter parties plays its role perfectly, then definitely earthquake hazards will be mitigated and thus save many lives that are been lost like it happened in Japan a few months ago. The community has to be educated on this just as the school board is doing.

Ayothiraman. R. & Hazarika. H. (2008). Earthquake hazards and mitigation . London: I. K. International Pvt Ltd.

Godschalk, D. R. (1999). Natural hazard mitigation: Recasting disaster policy and planning . New Jersey, NJ: Island Press.

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What causes earthquakes in the Northeast, like the magnitude 4.8 that shook New Jersey? A geoscientist explains

Professor of Geosciences, Buffalo State, The State University of New York

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Gary Solar does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

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It’s rare to feel earthquakes in the U.S. Northeast, so the magnitude 4.8 earthquake in New Jersey that shook buildings in New York City and was felt from Maryland to Boston on April 5, 2024, drew a lot of questions. It was one of the strongest earthquakes on record in New Jersey, though there were few reports of damage. A smaller, magnitude 3.8 earthquake and several other smaller aftershocks rattled the region a few hours later. We asked geoscientist Gary Solar to explain what causes earthquakes in this region.

What causes earthquakes like this in the US Northeast?

There are many ancient faults in that part of New Jersey that extend through Philadelphia and along the Appalachians, and the other direction, past New York City and into western New England.

These are fractures where gravity can cause the rock on either side to slip, causing the ground to shake. There is no active tectonic plate motion in the area today, but there was about 250 million to 300 million years ago .

The earthquake activity in New Jersey on April 5 is similar to the 3.8 magnitude earthquake that we experienced in 2023 in Buffalo, New York. In both cases, the shaking was from gravitational slip on those ancient structures.

In short, rocks slip a little on steep, preexisting fractures. That’s what happened in New Jersey, assuming there was no man-made trigger.

How dangerous is a 4.8 magnitude earthquake?

Magnitude 4.8 is pretty large, especially for the Northeast, but it’s likely to have minor effects compared with the much larger ones that cause major damage and loss of life.

The scale used to measure earthquakes is logarithmic, so each integer is a factor of 10. That means a magnitude 6 earthquake is 10 times larger than a magnitude 5 earthquake. The bigger ones, like the magnitude 7.4 earthquake in Tawian a few days earlier, are associated with active plate margins , where two tectonic plates meet.

The vulnerability of buildings to a magnitude 4.8 earthquake would depend on the construction. The building codes in places like California are very strict because California has a major plate boundary fault system – the San Andreas system . New Jersey does not, and correspondingly, building codes don’t account for large earthquakes as a result.

How rare are earthquakes in the Northeast, and will New Jersey see more in the same location?

Earthquakes are actually pretty common in the Northeast, but they’re usually so small that few people feel them. The vast majority are magnitude 2.5 or less.

The rare large ones like this are generally not predictable. However, there will likely not be other large earthquakes of similar size in that area for a long time. Once the slip happens in a region like this, the gravitational problem on that ancient fault is typically solved and the system is more stable.

That isn’t the case for active plate margins, like in Turkey , which has had devastating earthquakes in recent years, or rimming the Pacific Ocean . In those areas, tectonic stresses constantly build up as the plates slowly move, and earthquakes are from a failure to stick.

This article, originally published April 5, 2024, has been updated with several smaller aftershocks felt in the region.

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• Seismic activity

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Why Taiwan Was So Prepared for a Powerful Earthquake

Decades of learning from disasters, tightening building codes and increasing public awareness may have helped its people better weather strong quakes.

Search-and-rescue teams recover a body from a leaning building in Hualien, Taiwan. Thanks to improvements in building codes after past earthquakes, many structures withstood Wednesday’s quake. Credit...

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By Chris Buckley ,  Meaghan Tobin and Siyi Zhao

Photographs by Lam Yik Fei

Chris Buckley reported from the city of Hualien, Meaghan Tobin from Taipei, in Taiwan.

• April 4, 2024

When the largest earthquake in Taiwan in half a century struck off its east coast, the buildings in the closest city, Hualien, swayed and rocked. As more than 300 aftershocks rocked the island over the next 24 hours to Thursday morning, the buildings shook again and again.

But for the most part, they stood.

Even the two buildings that suffered the most damage remained largely intact, allowing residents to climb to safety out the windows of upper stories. One of them, the rounded, red brick Uranus Building, which leaned precariously after its first floors collapsed, was mostly drawing curious onlookers.

The building is a reminder of how much Taiwan has prepared for disasters like the magnitude-7.4 earthquake that jolted the island on Wednesday. Perhaps because of improvements in building codes, greater public awareness and highly trained search-and-rescue operations — and, likely, a dose of good luck — the casualty figures were relatively low. By Thursday, 10 people had died and more than 1,000 others were injured. Several dozen were missing.

“Similar level earthquakes in other societies have killed far more people,” said Daniel Aldrich , a director of the Global Resilience Institute at Northeastern University. Of Taiwan, he added: “And most of these deaths, it seems, have come from rock slides and boulders, rather than building collapses.”

Across the island, rail traffic had resumed by Thursday, including trains to Hualien. Workers who had been stuck in a rock quarry were lifted out by helicopter. Roads were slowly being repaired. Hundreds of people were stranded at a hotel near a national park because of a blocked road, but they were visited by rescuers and medics.

On Thursday in Hualien city, the area around the Uranus Building was sealed off, while construction workers tried to prevent the leaning structure from toppling completely. First they placed three-legged concrete blocks that resembled giant Lego pieces in front of the building, and then they piled dirt and rocks on top of those blocks with excavators.

“We came to see for ourselves how serious it was, why it has tilted,” said Chang Mei-chu, 66, a retiree who rode a scooter with her husband Lai Yung-chi, 72, to the building on Thursday. Mr. Lai said he was a retired builder who used to install power and water pipes in buildings, and so he knew about building standards. The couple’s apartment, near Hualien’s train station, had not been badly damaged, he said.

“I wasn’t worried about our building, because I know they paid attention to earthquake resistance when building it. I watched them pour the cement to make sure,” Mr. Lai said. “There have been improvements. After each earthquake, they raise the standards some more.”

It was possible to walk for city blocks without seeing clear signs of the powerful earthquake. Many buildings remained intact, some of them old and weather-worn; others modern, multistory concrete-and-glass structures. Shops were open, selling coffee, ice cream and betel nuts. Next to the Uranus Building, a popular night market with food stalls offering fried seafood, dumplings and sweets was up and running by Thursday evening.

Earthquakes are unavoidable in Taiwan, which sits on multiple active faults. Decades of work learning from other disasters, implementing strict building codes and increasing public awareness have gone into helping its people weather frequent strong quakes.

Not far from the Uranus Building, for example, officials had inspected a building with cracked pillars and concluded that it was dangerous to stay in. Residents were given 15 minutes to dash inside and retrieve as many belongings as they could. Some ran out with computers, while others threw bags of clothes out of windows onto the street, which was also still littered with broken glass and cement fragments from the quake.

One of its residents, Chen Ching-ming, a preacher at a church next door, said he thought the building might be torn down. He was able to salvage a TV and some bedding, which now sat on the sidewalk, and was preparing to go back in for more. “I’ll lose a lot of valuable things — a fridge, a microwave, a washing machine,” he said. “All gone.”

Requirements for earthquake resistance have been built into Taiwan’s building codes since 1974. In the decades since, the writers of Taiwan’s building code also applied lessons learned from other major earthquakes around the world, including in Mexico and Los Angeles, to strengthen Taiwan’s code.

After more than 2,400 people were killed and at least 10,000 others injured during the Chi-Chi quake of 1999, thousands of buildings built before the quake were reviewed and reinforced. After another strong quake in 2018 in Hualien, the government ordered a new round of building inspections. Since then, multiple updates to the building code have been released.

“We have retrofitted more than 10,000 school buildings in the last 20 years,” said Chung-Che Chou, the director general of the National Center for Research on Earthquake Engineering in Taipei.

The government had also helped reinforce private apartment buildings over the past six years by adding new steel braces and increasing column and beam sizes, Dr. Chou said. Not far from the buildings that partially collapsed in Hualien, some of the older buildings that had been retrofitted in this way survived Wednesday’s quake, he said.

The result of all this is that even Taiwan’s tallest skyscrapers can withstand regular seismic jolts. The capital city’s most iconic building, Taipei 101, once the tallest building in the world, was engineered to stand through typhoon winds and frequent quakes. Still, some experts say that more needs to be done to either strengthen or demolish structures that don’t meet standards, and such calls have grown louder in the wake of the latest earthquake.

Taiwan has another major reason to protect its infrastructure: It is home to the majority of production for the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, the world’s largest maker of advanced computer chips. The supply chain for electronics from smartphones to cars to fighter jets rests on the output of TSMC’s factories, which make these chips in facilities that cost billions of dollars to build.

The 1999 quake also prompted TSMC to take extra steps to insulate its factories from earthquake damage. The company made major structural adjustments and adopted new technologies like early warning systems. When another large quake struck the southern city of Kaohsiung in February 2016, TSMC’s two nearby factories survived without structural damage.

Taiwan has made strides in its response to disasters, experts say. In the first 24 hours after the quake, rescuers freed hundreds of people who were trapped in cars in between rockfalls on the highway and stranded on mountain ledges in rock quarries.

“After years of hard work on capacity building, the overall performance of the island has improved significantly,” said Bruce Wong, an emergency management consultant in Hong Kong. Taiwan’s rescue teams have come to specialize in complex efforts, he said, and it has also been able to tap the skills of trained volunteers.

Taiwan’s resilience also stems from a strong civil society that is involved in public preparedness for disasters.

Ou Chi-hu, a member of a group of Taiwanese military veterans, was helping distribute water and other supplies at a school that was serving as a shelter for displaced residents in Hualien. He said that people had learned from the 1999 earthquake how to be more prepared.

“They know to shelter in a corner of the room or somewhere else safer,” he said. Many residents also keep a bag of essentials next to their beds, and own fire extinguishers, he added.

Around him, a dozen or so other charities and groups were offering residents food, money, counseling and childcare. The Tzu Chi Foundation, a large Taiwanese Buddhist charity, provided tents for families to use inside the school hall so they could have more privacy. Huang Yu-chi, a disaster relief manager with the foundation, said nonprofits had learned from earlier disasters.

“Now we’re more systematic and have a better idea of disaster prevention,” Mr. Huang said.

Mike Ives contributed reporting from Seoul.

Chris Buckley , the chief China correspondent for The Times, reports on China and Taiwan from Taipei, focused on politics, social change and security and military issues. More about Chris Buckley

Meaghan Tobin is a technology correspondent for The Times based in Taipei, covering business and tech stories in Asia with a focus on China. More about Meaghan Tobin

Siyi Zhao is a reporter and researcher who covers news in mainland China for The Times in Seoul. More about Siyi Zhao

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Why the East Coast Earthquake Covered So Much Ground

Friday morning at around 10:30 local time, a magnitude 4.8 earthquake popped three miles below Whitehouse Station, New Jersey. Though nowhere near the magnitude of the West Coast’s monster quakes, the seismic waves traveled hundreds of miles, jostling not just nearby New York City, but Philadelphia and Boston and Washington, DC. The United States Geological Survey is urging the region to prepare for aftershocks of smaller magnitude.

For a region not accustomed to earthquakes, it was a jolt. Its wide-ranging impact turns out to be not a quirk, but a byproduct of the East Coast’s unique geology of ancient fault lines and rock composition.

“Earthquakes in this region are uncommon, but not unexpected,” said seismologist Paul Earle, of the USGS National Earthquake Information Center, on a press call Friday. “Earthquakes on the East Coast are felt much farther—four or five times farther—than a similar earthquake on the West Coast.”

Back in 2011, for instance, people felt the shock of a 5.8 quake in Virginia from up to 600 miles away, whereas a 6.8 a few years later in Napa, California—which produced twice as much energy— traveled less than half that distance . Given how much more densely populated the East Coast is than the West Coast, that means a whole lot of people over a much wider area will feel at least a little shaking, even if the magnitude is significantly smaller than something like a Loma Prieta earthquake, which devastated the Bay Area in 1989 .

Jostled East Coasters can blame the geology underneath their feet. On the West Coast, a vast web of faults pop off all the time along an active plate boundary, sending shocks across the landscape. “We have new faults forming, we have old faults taking on strain and rupturing in big earthquakes,” says Columbia University structural geologist Folarin Kolawole.

But when an earthquake happens in a given fault, there are neighboring faults through which the energy is distributed. Basically, because the western US has so many faults along an active plate, it has a lot of channels to absorb earthquake energy—subterranean shock-absorbers, of sorts.

While the USGS hasn’t yet pinpointed the exact fault responsible for today’s earthquake, it occurred in a region where the fault system is more static than on the West Coast. It appears an inactive fault was reactivated Friday morning under New Jersey, somewhere in the Ramapo fault system.

The relative stability of the East Coast fault system is due to its geological age: Its rocks formed hundreds of millions of years before rocks on the West Coast. Geologically speaking, the East Coast is a quiet old man, while the West Coast is a rambunctious teenager.

“We don't have that tectonic complexity on the East Coast,” says Gregory Mountain, a geophysicist at Rutgers University. “We had it in the geologic past, hundreds of millions of years ago, but things are pretty well solidified—is one way to call it—and stabilized. For that reason, on the East Coast, seismic energy could actually probably travel quite a bit farther and have less energy loss with distance.”

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The region doesn’t have the plentiful active faults that the West Coast has to attenuate the shaking we feel at the surface. The ancient eastern faults have also stored up a lot of energy over time. “They've had a long time to heal and strengthen,” says Kolawole, “so the rock can rupture big quakes.” While 4.8 is a far cry from a 7.0, it still takes an astonishing amount of energy to shake picture frames hundreds of miles away.

Once that energy is released on the East Coast, it travels through harder rock than it would in California. Manhattan and Queens, for instance, are sitting on bedrock. “So when you have earthquakes in this region, they can travel really fast,” says Kolawole. In California, by contrast, there’s sedimentary cover on that bedrock. “There you have a lot of vibration and shaking, but earthquake energy does not travel as fast as you have it here.”

Friday’s earthquake may come as a literal and metaphorical shock for East Coasters, but bigger ones have happened in the region before, like a 5.3 magnitude in 1884. In the near term, the region may feel aftershocks for days or months. Longer term, it’s only a matter of time before an even bigger earthquake hits. “It's not impossible, it's just uncommon,” says Kolawole. “And it does signal the potential for a larger magnitude earthquake within this region.”

And when that happens, you’ll almost certainly feel it from hundreds of miles away.

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