The Science Behind Earthquakes
Earthquakes are caused by the sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust, resulting in seismic waves that cause ground shaking. This release of energy typically occurs along faults, which are fractures or zones of weakness in the Earth's lithosphere (the outer shell of the planet).
The Earth's lithosphere is divided into large pieces called tectonic plates, which float on the semi-fluid asthenosphere beneath them.
Tectonic plates are constantly moving, but they often get "stuck" due to friction at their boundaries. When the stress on these plates exceeds the strength of the fault, it causes the plates to move suddenly, releasing accumulated energy.
This is when an earthquake occurs. The point beneath the Earth’s surface where the earthquake originates is called the *focus* or *hypocenter*, while the point on the surface directly above it is the *epicenter*.
The energy released travels in the form of seismic waves, which can be classified into two main types: Primary waves (P-waves), which are compressional and travel fastest, and Secondary waves (S-waves), which are shear waves that cause more ground movement.
Earthquakes can range from small tremors to powerful, destructive events depending on the amount of energy released and the depth of the focus.
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