Sc300 Unit 4 Assignment

Of all the naturally occurring events on Earth, earthquakes are among the most devastating and bring a lot of truth to the statement, “Just because something is natural does not mean it is not dangerous.” Earthquakes are one of the most natural things I can think of that can cause massive damage and loss of human live in many instances, and the effects are sometimes long term. “Nothing happens without a force. Many geophysicists accept the theory that continents move as a result of the forces generated by mantel convection deep within Earth – motions driven by our planet’s internal heat energy” (Trefil & Hazen, 2010). According to National Geographic (1996-2012), constant movement in the tectonic plates that make up the Earth’s crust causes an earthquake. The constant nature of this movement causes a buildup of energy, which is stored in rocks at fault lines. The stored energy is eventually released and a sudden, rapid shaking of the Earth is the result. “An Earthquake is what happens when two blocks of the earth suddenly slip past one another” (Wald, 2009). An event cannot be more natural than the Earth itself actually causing it. According to Wald (2009), an Earthquake is not just simply one moment of shaking or vibrations from the Earth. An Earthquake can have foreshocks, main shocks, and aftershocks. Foreshocks are smaller earthquakes that happen in the same place as the large earthquake that follows. Wald (2009) continues that the main earthquake itself is called the main shock and main shocks are always followed by aftershocks. These are smaller earthquakes that occur afterwards in the same exact place as the main shock. Aftershocks can continue for weeks, months, and even years after main shocks. Through all these things, earthquakes can cause an unsettling amount of damage.

Questions Answered: 1. In researching the earthquake patterns across the United States there are many more at risk areas on the west coast of the United

References: National Geographic (1996-2012). Earthquakes: seismic destruction. Published by National Geographic Society Retrieved January 8, 2012 from http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/natural-disasters/earthquake-profile/ ScienceDaily (April 2008). Earthquake hazard maps show how u.s. shakes with quakes. Published by Science Daily LLC Retrieved January 8, 2012 from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080421193729.htm Trefil, J., Hazen, R. (2010). The Sciencess: an integrated approach – 6st ed. Published by John Wiley & Sons USGS (2009). FAQs: Earthquake preparedness. Published by United States Geological Survey Retrieved January 10, 2012 from http://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/faq/?categoryID=14 USGS (2011). Latest earthquakes in the world – past 7 days. Published by United States Geological Survey Retrieved January 10, 2012 from http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsww/ USGS (April 2011) Geological Survey Retrieved January 10, 2012 from http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/world/most_destructive.php USGS Map (2008). 2008 united states national seismic hazard maps. Published by United States Geological Survey Retrieved January 9, 2012 from and redistributed by United States Geological Survey Retrieved January 8, 2012 from http://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/kids/eqscience.php