Question

Click “Next”. Fill in the blanks to learn how earthquakes form.
i. Earthquakes develop in the ___________________ of the earth. The inner part of the earth contains massive __________________. Some of this energy escapes through ____________ and other volcanic activity, but the bulk of it is ___________________ within the earth’s inner part, contained in the crust.
ii. The earth’s outer crust is held in place like a completed _________________________, with rough edges and lines. The energy stored here causes the pieces to slide, glide, knock and move around each piece. These pieces best describe what we call ‘_______________’.
iii. After a period of time, the built up energy and movement causes huge ________________ in the plates, and there is massive _________________on the fault lines. This intense pressure resulting from energy build up causes the fault lines to give way, and plates move over, against or apart from each other.
iv. There is an __________________ at this point. In the form of _____________________ (like water ripples) the escaping energy radiates __________________ from the fault in all directions. The seismic waves shake the earth as they __________________through it. When the waves reach the earth’s surface, they shake the ________________ and anything on it, tearing down houses and structures.

Answer 1

i. Earthquakes develop in the interior of the earth. The inner part of the earth contains massive heat/energy. Some of this energy escapes through volcanoes and other volcanic activity, but the bulk of it is stored within the earth’s interior, contained in the crust.

ii. The earth’s outer crust is held in place like a completed jigsaw puzzle, with rough edges and lines. The energy stored here causes the pieces to slide, glide, knock and move around each piece. These pieces best describe what we call ‘tectonic plates’.

iii. After a period of time, the built up energy and movement causes huge cracks/stresses in the plates, and there is massive pressure on the fault lines. This intense pressure resulting from energy build up causes the fault lines to give way, and plates move over, against or apart from each other.

iv. There is an earthquake at this point. In the form of seismic waves (like water ripples) the escaping energy radiates outward from the fault in all directions. The seismic waves shake the earth as they travel through it. When the waves reach the earth’s surface, they shake the ground and anything on it, tearing down houses and structures.