Earthquakes

The Earth’s surface is split up into tectonic plates.

These plates move very slowly, but a force called friction can sometimes cause them to stick to each other at the edges. Eventually the rocks that are stopping the plates moving will break. This allows the plates to move again and releases energy in the form of waves which are called seismic waves.

Seismic waves cause the ground to shake, which we feel as an earthquake!

How do we measure earthquakes?

Earthquakes are an unpredictable and dangerous natural hazard that affects millions of people.

Scientists that study earthquakes and seismic waves are called seismologists. They use seismometers to detect and measure seismic waves.

Optional Activity: Make your own 3D Globe

If you have access to a printer, follow the instructions in the ‘Structure of the Earth’ activity to print and build your own 3D globe. Each red dot represents the location of an earthquake. All the dots outline the boundaries of the tectonic plates, why might there be more earthquakes at these regions?