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What happen during an earthquake?

Updated: 4/28/2022
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13y ago

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Earthquakes are caused by sudden movements of the rock layers under the Earth's surface along planar structures called fault planes.

The Earth is a dynamic body and heat form the core causes convective movements in Earth's Mantle which shift around the tectonic plates forming Earth's crust. This movement progresses at about the speed your fingernails grow.

In the stiff, brittle rocks near the Earth's surface the movement does not proceed continuously ans the stresses build up and build up over time with the rocks deforming elastically until the stored energy overcomes either the strength of the rock (new fractures form) or the friction across existing fractures (fault planes).

When this happens sudden displacement occurs across the fault plane in one place (the epicentre) and this propagates along the fault plane thereafter. The movement also releases sound energy in the form sets of pressure waves which spread away form the epicentre. There are felt in other locations as a shaking of the ground - an Earthquake!

The amplitude of these determines the magnitude of the earthquake and if great can cause devastation to structures on the Earths surface.

Also if the displacement of the fault alters the topography of the seabed, the earthquake can set off a Tsunami.

Large earthquakes are usually followed by aftershocks as the movement on the first earthquake sets of instabilities across other related fault planes in the vicinity.

The largest earthquakes are usually very deep and related to the subduction of oceanic crust beneath continental crust in destructive plate boundary areas. However destructive earthquakes can also occur at shallower depths where Building are built on unconsolidated ground.

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6y ago
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13y ago

Deep under ground, plates rub against each other. The plates have jagged edges, and so when they rub against each other, they get stuck. Since plates constantly move, the plates that are stuck create great tension, and when they are finally free, a huge amount of energy is released. Shock waves move from focus in all directions, and it causes the earth to vibrate.

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9y ago

Because the Earth isn't solid. The core of the Earth is molten rock and iron, and the crust of the Earth is shattered like the cracked shell of a hard-boiled egg.

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How does a landslide or rockslide happen?

It usually happens after or during an earthquake.


During an earthquake what is likely to happen to a building built on loose soil and rock?

It will collapse .


When did the Italy earthquake happen?

This earthquake happen in januray 22,2009


How does happen after a earthquake?

a earthquake happens whaen a plate moves that what happen when we had the christchurch earthquake happened.


What is the name of one of many earthquakes that happen during the days or month after a large earthquake?

Aftershocks


Where has a earthquake happen?

Earthquakes can happen in the Philippines, Or China We Had An Earthquake In Canada Too...


Are aftershocks the primary or secondary effects of an earthquake?

The difference between them is that Primary effects happen during the earthquake e.g. Casualties, Damage to parking structures & free ways. But with Secondary effects they happen after an earthquake e.g. Fire, Landslides & Liquefaction


What comes before during and after and earthquake?

Before an earthquake nothing perceptible to humans happen. Several types of animals act up though. During a earthquake the ground trembles. Depending on the magnitude this might be anything from a light tremble to a violent shaking. Most of the time nothing happens after an earthquake, but sometimes there is an aftershock, which is another earthquake of a lesser magnitude.


Can an earthquake happen during a volcano?

Something cannot happen during a volcano, as a volcano is a thing, not an event. However, earthquakes often do happen during volcanic eruptions. This is because of the often large amounts of magma moving underground, breaking rock around it.


Is there earthquakes season?

No, Earthquakes can happen at random times during the day. Earthquakes happen when fault line move causing the plates to move resulting in an earthquake


When do earthquake mostly happen?

Earthquake mostly happen around the ring of fire, around the Pacific ocean.