Exploring Earthquakes

By Lindsey DiazDeLeon & Kenzie Edens

What are the major plates that affect the U.S?

o North American, Juan De Fuca , Pacific.

o The Picture to the right represents the North American, Juan De Fuca, and Pacific plates.

Why do you think California has so many earthquakes?

o California lays on The San Andreas fault.

o The picture to the right shows the San Andreas fault.

What hazard zone is your home located?

o Putnam county has a low hazard zone of 2-4.

o The picture to the right shows what hazard zone Putnam County is in by the color light blue.

What is considered to be the most destructive earthquakes? When did it occur, where was it, what was it magnitude and how many people

died?

o The most destructive earthquake is Shaanxi earthquake.

o It occurred in 1556.o It took place in the

West coast of Northern Sumatra.

o The magnitude was 8.0

o 830,000 people died.

What are tsunamis, what causes them and how fast do they travel?

o Tsunamis are waves , that are caused by the displacement of water from an earthquake.

o They usually move about 600 mph.

What are 2 types of energy waves created by an earthquake and how do they differ?

o The two types of energy waves are primary waves and secondary waves.

o Primary waves travel first, going through all types of matter, while secondary waves come second and only travel through solids.

Which type of waves travels faster?

o Primary waves travel faster. That is why primary waves come first.

How much more energy is released by a 7.2 earthquake than by a 6.2 earthquake?

o 1.0 more energy is released by an 7.2 earthquake than by a 6.2 earthquake.

What applications does seismology have besides measuring the magnitude and location of earthquakes?

o Reflection and refraction seismology can be used in geophysical exploration to locate layers of varying density which can be used for example to locate underground hydrocarbons in the oil and gas industry.

o Seismology has also provided us with info on the internal structure and state of matter of the interior of the earth

Where do most earthquakes happen last week?

o Most of the earthquakes happen in California.

o The most recent earthquake happened in southern California.

Can scientists predict earthquakes?

o No and it is unlikely they will ever be predict earthquakes.

How do scientist know where an earthquake actually occurred?

o The point on a map where all three circles cross each other is the place the quake happened.

o The picture to the right represents where the two plates Transform.

Thanks for watching our power point!

By: Kenzie Edens & Lindsey DiazDeLeon