Earthquake
Earthquake
An Earthquake (/ˈɜːrθkweɪk/) is a sudden and violent shaking of the ground, often caused by movement of the Earth's tectonic plates.
Etymology
The term "earthquake" is derived from the Old English words "eorþe" meaning "earth" and "cwacian" meaning "to shake".
Definition
An earthquake is a phenomenon that results from the sudden release of stored energy in the Earth's crust that creates seismic waves. These waves can cause buildings and other structures to collapse, leading to significant damage and loss of life.
Causes
Earthquakes are primarily caused by the movement of the Earth's tectonic plates. These plates are large sections of the Earth's crust that float on top of the semi-fluid layer of the mantle. When these plates move, they can cause the ground to shake, resulting in an earthquake.
Other causes of earthquakes can include volcanic activity, landslides, mine blasts, and nuclear tests.
Related Terms
- Seismic Waves: Waves of energy that travel through the Earth's layers, and are a result of earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, magma movement, large landslides and large man-made explosions.
- Tectonic Plates: The large sections of the Earth's crust that float on top of the semi-fluid layer of the mantle. Their movement is a primary cause of earthquakes.
- Richter Scale: A numerical scale for expressing the magnitude of an earthquake on the basis of seismograph oscillations.
- Epicenter: The point on the earth's surface vertically above the focus of an earthquake.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Earthquake
- Wikipedia's article - Earthquake
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