Earthquakes

Earthquakes can come without warning and are not easy to predict.

Some things happen fast. Some things happen more slowly. Some things are easy to predict. Some things are hard to predict. We know the Sun will be up in the sky tomorrow. We know the ocean’s tides will rise and fall. Earthquakes are not as easy to predict.

Earthquakes make the ground shake. The reasons we have earthquakes are well known. We mostly know where they will occur. Earthquakes can come without warning. Scientists study earthquakes to learn more about them. Engineers study earthquake to find ways to keep us safe.

Scientists study the Earth. The Earth is not solid. Its crust is broken up into plates. These plates move around. Earthquakes occur along the edges of these plates. Some plates easily slide past each other. In other areas, the plates get hung up. It is these areas where earthquakes occur more often.

Scientists know that earthquakes will occur. They have learned a lot about these areas. If the plates get hung up, they cannot move. The pressure between them can build for many years. It can take a long time before the plates suddenly break free and move. Why is it important to know where earthquakes will occur?

It may be a long time before an earthquake occurs. Scientist know that an earthquake will occur. They know where they will occur. The question is always, when will they occur? Why is it important to know when they will occur?

Engineers use what has been learned about earthquakes. They look for ways to keep us safe. They look for safer ways to build homes. They study how large buildings will react. They design things to be flexible. Why do you think being flexible is better?

The plates of the Earth move very slowly. They only move a couple of centimeters per year. This slow movement causes big changes over time. Scientists learn about these changes to keep us safe. The more they learn, the safer we will be.