www.grammarsaurus.co.uk Grammarsaurus Mountains, Volcanoes and Earthquakes Geography
www.grammarsaurus.co.uk Grammarsaurus
Mountains, Volcanoesand Earthquakes
Geography
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1Earthquakes
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2Earthquakes
Talk to your partner
about Earthquakes.
What do you think you know?
What would you like to know?
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3Dictionary Definition
earthquake/ˈəːθkweɪk/
noun
A sudden violent shaking of the ground, typically causing great destruction,
as a result of movements within the earth's crust or volcanic action.
Synonyms: earth tremor, tremor, convulsion, shock, foreshock, aftershock;
a great upheaval.
"a political earthquake"
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4Why do Earthquakes happen?
An earthquake disrupts the surface of the Earth,
causing the ground to move and shake.
Earthquakes happen when two
large pieces of the Earth’s crust slip.
Some earthquakes can be stronger than others,
meaning they can destroy homes
and have disastrous consequences.
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5Under the Earth’s surface
Under the Earth’s surface, there are four layers - The crust, The Mantle, The Outer Core and The Inner Core.
The Crust is made up of lots of little pieces, which overlap. These are known as tectonic plates.
They are between 5km and 10km thick! The tectonic plates make natural movements;
after a long period of time, these movements cause earthquakes.
Crust
Mantle
Outer Core
Inner Core
The Crust
The Mantle
The Outer Core
The Inner Core
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6Tectonic Plates
The tectonic plates are
always making small movements.
They move in three different directions.
These are known as divergent,
convergent and transform.
Tell your partner the things
you notice about the way the plates move.
DivergentConvergent
Transform
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7Tectonic Plates
Divergent Where the plates move away from each other
Convergent This is where the plates move into one another
Transform
During this movement, the plates move sideways
in relation to each other
How much do the plate move? It is believed, that the plates move around 3cm-5cm per year.
This may only seem like a small amount of movement, but these movements, each year, are what causes earthquakes.
DivergentConvergent
Transform
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8Where do earthquakes happen?
Earthquakes can happen at any point of the year, all over the world.
It is difficult to predict where and when an earthquake will occur.
Earthquakes commonly happen
in the areas shown on the map.
Why do you think earthquakes
commonly happen here?
HINT: Think back to your work on volcanoes.
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9How are earthquakes measured?
A seisometer monitors the vibrations
caused by an earthquake.
The data is then plotted on a seismograph.
It is measured using the Richter scale,
on a scale of 0-10.
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10The Richter Scale
0-2.0 Not measured, not felt.
2.1-2.9 Measured, but not felt.
3.0-3.9 Sometimes felt, no damage caused.
4.0-4.9 Light shaking of items, little damage, if any.
5.0-5.9 Slight structural damage possible.
6.0-6.9 Potential for destcructive tremors.
7.0-7.9 Serious damage over large areas.
8.0-8.9 Devastating damage over huge areas.
9.0-10 Extreme destruction.
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11Preparing for an earthquake
Six Steps to Stay Safe Take these steps to prepare for, survive and recover from an earthquake
Make a Plan
Gathering your family will be top on your list.
Choose a meeting place and an out-of-area contact
person to relay messages.
Drop, cover and hold on
When a quake starts, drop down where you are,
and cover your head. If you’re near heavy furniture,
take cover underneath and hold on tight.
Secure your home
Make sure your house is as shakeproof as possible
by retrofitting weak spots, strapping down heavy
furniture and securing loose objects.
Check for hazards
When the shaking stops, check for injuries and for
damage to home electrical wires, gas lines, walls,
floors and water pipes.
Get a kit
Store supplies to get your family through at least
the first three days after a quake.
Stay connected
Surviving a quake is a community effort.
Get to know your neighbors now, and work
together with local organizations to prepare.
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12Get a kit
One helpful tip to help people recover from an earthquake
is to ensure you have a survival kit packed and ready.
Get a kit
Store supplies to get your family through at least
the first three days after a quake.
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13Your task
Your Task is to design your own kit,
remember, these supplies should be
able to help you and your family
survive for 3-5 days following an earthquake.