Earthquakes and Seismic Zones
Earthquakes:
Earthquakes are a phenomenon of sudden and temporary shaking of the Earth’s crust produced by the release of accumulated energy in
the form of the seismic waves.
the form of the seismic waves.
Seismic Zones:
You may hear the terms “seismic zone” and “seismic hazard zone” used interchangeably,they really describe two slightly different things.
A seismic zone is used to describe an area where earthquakes tend to focus; for example, the New Madrid Seismic Zone in the Central
A seismic zone is used to describe an area where earthquakes tend to focus; for example, the New Madrid Seismic Zone in the Central
United States.
A seismichazard zone describes an area with a particular level of hazard due to earthquakes. Typically, a high seismic hazard zone is
nearest a seismic zone where there are more earthquakes, and a lower seismic hazard zone is farther away from a seismic zone.
nearest a seismic zone where there are more earthquakes, and a lower seismic hazard zone is farther away from a seismic zone.
Ring of fire:
The Ring of Fire, also referred to as the Circum-Pacific Belt, is a path along the Pacific Ocean characterized by active volcanoes and
frequent earthquakes. The majority of Earth’s volcanoes and earthquakes take place along the Ring of Fire.
frequent earthquakes. The majority of Earth’s volcanoes and earthquakes take place along the Ring of Fire.
The move of the tectonic plates also causes land to raise and form volcanoes and mountains; even some of the Islands in the Caribbean are old volcanoes that were created by the movement of the plates. Today the tectonic plates continues moving , crashing into or sliding over or under each other, all of these causes the seismic activity and the volcanoes eruptions.
All around the world are are multiples tectonic plates:
There are seven major plates: African, Antarctic, Eurasian, Indo-Australian, North American, Pacific and South American.
Tectonic Plate Map
The movement of Earth's tectonic plates shape the planet's surface. This three-dimensional image shows a map of Earth's tectonic plates.
LINKS FOR INFO: