Earthquakes Flashcards
How are earthquakes made?
- Earthquakes are caused by plate movements, either towards, away or sliding past each other
- Plates often get stuck, when stress and pressure builds up as plates try to move
- Then there is a sudden release of pressure when the plates break free along a crack in the Earth called a fault
What happens?
Huge amounts of energy are released and the shock waves or vibrations travel through the earth as an earthquake wave or seismic wave
What do you do before an earthquake?
- Arrange a meeting place
- Keep supplies
- If you’re an architect, earthquake-proof buildings
What do you do during an earthquake?
- Don’t panic
- Get outside if possible
- If not then get under a table
What do you do after an earthquake?
- Don’t enter any buildings
- Provide first aid
- Listen to radio for instructions
What is the Richter Scale?
A logarithmic scale that measures earthquakes based on scientific recordings of the amount of movement
What is an epicentre?
The point on the Earth’s surface directly above the focus
What is a focus?
The point within the earth where the earthquake originates
Causes of the earthquake:
- North American and Caribbean Plate slipping
- Seismic wave larger because of loose sediments
Effects of the earthquake:
- Around 200,000 people dead
- 1,500,000 homeless
- 1/3 of buildings collapsed
- Port-au-Prince ruins
- Cholera
Short Term responses of the earthquake
- Shanty town
- Checking for survivors
- Water purifiers
- Shelter, food, water, medical
Long term responses of the earthquake
- Building on harder rock
- Predicting next earthquake
- 1 year still in tents
Location and date of earthquake:
Haiti Earthquale 2010
Prediction
attempts to forecast an event, when and where it will happen, based on current knowledge
Protection
constructing buildings so that they are safe to live in and won’t collapse
