1.) An earthquake is the shaking of the surface of the Earth resulting from a sudden release of energy in the Earth's lithosphere that creates seismic waves.
What is called an earthquake?
An earthquake is an intense shaking of the Earth's surface. The shaking is caused by movements in Earth's outermost layer.
2.) A fault is a fracture or zone of fractures between two blocks of rock. Faults allow the blocks to move relative to each other. During an earthquake, the rock on one side of the fault suddenly slips with respect to the other. The fault surface can be horizontal or vertical or some arbitrary angle in between.
Why do all faults not cause earthquakes?
While all earthquakes occur on faults, not all faults have earthquakes. A fault is simply a fracture in rock material accompanied by displacement along the two sides of the fracture. If the displacement occurs slowly enough, no earthquake waves are generated
3.) Intensity scales. The Richter scale measures the magnitude of earthquakes, and the Mercalli scale measures their intensity. The violence of seismic shaking varies considerably over a single affected area.
4.) Be ready!
1. Move away from windows and outside walls.
2. Stay in the building.
3. DO NOT use the elevators. The electricity may go out, and the sprinkler systems may come on.
4. If you are trapped, stay calm. Try to get someone's attention by tapping on hard or metal parts of the structure.
5. Remember to stay calm and put.
6. Practice the duck, cover, and hold under a stable thing like tables and desks.
7. Stay away from windows or even outside doors. If you are outside, stay away from power lines o buildings that might fall to you.
8. Evacuate safely in an open area that is considered safe.
9. Do not use things that can cause a flame, like matches or candles.
