Cause of Earthquakes: An earthquake occurs when rock underground suddenly breaks along a fault. This sudden release of energy causes the seismic waves that make the ground shake. When two blocks of rock or two plates are rubbing together, they stick a little. They don’t just slide smoothly, they catch onto each other. The rocks are still pushing against each other, but not moving. After a while the rocks break because of all the pressure that builds up. When the rocks break, the earthquake occurs.
Process of Earthquakes:
-Earthquakes happen at places called fault lines, where the jagged edges of two tectonic plates grind against one another. Most earthquake occur in oceans where plates are pushing apart from the sea bed.
-The most violent earthquakes happen within the Pacific Ocean as they have huge tectonic plates. This is area is known as the Ring Of Fire also because, many volcanic eruptions occur there also as well.
-Tectonic plates move around quite a lot, very slowly which is why we never notice them most of the time. Though every once in a while two plates grind across each other into a new position, this is the way energy is formed that is released.
-Earthquakes happen at places called fault lines, where the jagged edges of two tectonic plates grind against one another. Most earthquake occur in oceans where plates are pushing apart from the sea bed.
-The most violent earthquakes happen within the Pacific Ocean as they have huge tectonic plates. This is area is known as the Ring Of Fire also because, many volcanic eruptions occur there also as well.
-Tectonic plates move around quite a lot, very slowly which is why we never notice them most of the time. Though every once in a while two plates grind across each other into a new position, this is the way energy is formed that is released.
Effect of Earthquakes:
How do earthquakes impact society?
Earthquakes can often have a major impact on society. From taking a toll on people's everyday life to destroying everything in and around the area of where was hit. An earthquakes impact on society falls under three main catagories. Primary effects, secondary effects and environmental effects.
Primary effects include:
- Damage of property
- Loss of lives
- Fire and tsunami waves
Secondary effects include:
- Financial loss
- Disease
- The lack of food and clean water
Environmental effects includes:
- The land in which the earthquake takes place or surrounds is more often than not, damaged completely.
How do earthquakes effect the lithosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere?
Lithosphere: Earthquakes are the result and the outcome of the brittle failure within the earth’s lithosphere. This can result in shaking, ground rupture, landslides, fires and severe building damage.
Biosphere: Earthquakes can have an effect on fauna and flora because it kills them, it harms the ecosystem and can wipe out many crops.
Hydrosphere: Ground damage can affect the hydrosphere immensely. It can also create tsunamis that can cause damage to inhabitants on islands and bring mass destruction.
Atmosphere: Earthquakes can release methane gas from sea beds and into the atmosphere. They also release emissions and heat.
How do earthquakes impact society?
Earthquakes can often have a major impact on society. From taking a toll on people's everyday life to destroying everything in and around the area of where was hit. An earthquakes impact on society falls under three main catagories. Primary effects, secondary effects and environmental effects.
Primary effects include:
- Damage of property
- Loss of lives
- Fire and tsunami waves
Secondary effects include:
- Financial loss
- Disease
- The lack of food and clean water
Environmental effects includes:
- The land in which the earthquake takes place or surrounds is more often than not, damaged completely.
How do earthquakes effect the lithosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere?
Lithosphere: Earthquakes are the result and the outcome of the brittle failure within the earth’s lithosphere. This can result in shaking, ground rupture, landslides, fires and severe building damage.
Biosphere: Earthquakes can have an effect on fauna and flora because it kills them, it harms the ecosystem and can wipe out many crops.
Hydrosphere: Ground damage can affect the hydrosphere immensely. It can also create tsunamis that can cause damage to inhabitants on islands and bring mass destruction.
Atmosphere: Earthquakes can release methane gas from sea beds and into the atmosphere. They also release emissions and heat.