Earthquakes
...within the earth. As the motion continues, the strain builds up to the point where the rock cannot withstand any more bending. With a lurch, the rock breaks and the two sides move. An earthquake is the shaking that radiates out from the breaking rock. The effects of earthquakes are responsible for a large number of deaths and vast amounts of destruction in various parts of the world. The most common effect associated with earthquakes is the ground shaking. The severity of the ground shaking depends on the magnitude of the earthquake and local geological conditions. Another effect earthquakes have is soil liquefaction. Soil liquefaction occurs where there is a high water content. The soil loses its strength and behaves like a fluid, when violent shaking occurs. Landslides, rock and snow avalanches are also effects of earthquakes that usually occur in mountainous areas. They are due to strong shaking that make the slopes fall, which turn into landslides or avalanches. Earthquakes that occur under the ocean cause tsunamis. Tsunamis are huge waves that are barely noticeable until they approach coastal areas, where the waves can reach over twenty meters in height and flood the area. In order to minimize the damage and to alleviate some of the suffering resulting from earthquakes, scientists are working on ways to facilitate accurate prediction. Seismographs and tilt meters are two of the instruments that help to predict earthquakes. By the means of calculations, seismologists can accurately indicate the exact time, location, and size of an earthquake. Tilt meters are used to record any ...