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Why do Earthquakes occur?
The Cause, Process and Effects
The reason that earthquakes occur is all related to the tectonic plates. The tectonic plates are giant plate-like rocks in our lithosphere that float upon magma, or molten rock in the asthenosphere. There plates are constantly moving, due to the semi-liquid state of the asthenosphere, as well as the convection currents flowing in the magma as well.
The reason that earthquakes occur is all related to the tectonic plates. The tectonic plates are giant plate-like rocks in our lithosphere that float upon magma, or molten rock in the asthenosphere. There plates are constantly moving, due to the semi-liquid state of the asthenosphere, as well as the convection currents flowing in the magma as well.
As these plates are constantly moving and shifting under the crust of our earth. The plates either move together, move apart, or move against each other in a sideways motion. Convergent boundaries (plates that move together) create mountains and hills while divergent boundaries (plates that move apart) create valleys or rifts where water can flow through (rivers), and finally transform boundaries, where the two plates move against each other in a sideways motion.
Running through the middle of the Philippines is a transform fault, the Philippine Fault, which branches off towards the north of the country, to the Sibuyan Sea Fault and the Legaspi Fault. These faults are the source of most of the earthquakes in the Philippines. Bordering the Philippines is subduction zones, including the Manila and Philippine Trench, which is where the plates converge, and one plate slips underneath the other, causing one plate to melt underground and become part of the molten rock in the asthenosphere. In this case, the subduction zones bordering the Philippines are oceanic plates, so these subduction zones could create a submarine earthquake, which can lead to a tsunami. These places where two or more tectonic plates meet and rub releasing energy are where earthquakes are frequently experienced.
The Philippines is also located in the ‘Ring of Fire’, or the ‘Circum-Pacific Belt’. This is a large horse shoe-like shaped ring, bordering the east of the Australian boundary, working its way up and over Australia, traveling through the Asian Islands and along the eastern coast of Asia, stretching out to the west of North America, and down along the coast to South America. The Ring of Fire borders the Pacific Ocean, and is home to most of the world’s tectonic plate movement, earthquakes and volcanoes. 90% of all earthquakes occur in this belt, with 81% of the world’s strongest earthquakes also occurring here. The Philippine’s placement in the midst of this belt is what makes the islands prone to frequent earthquakes. All faults can result in earthquakes, which is the result of stored up energy between the plate boundaries. When enough energy is stored up over time, the energy may be able to overcome the friction between the two plates, and the energy is released, creating an earthquake. When the plates rub, and release energy, they create massive vibrations called seismic waves, that shake the crust of our earth, creating what we’d call an earthquake. See it all happen in this video: http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/101-videos/earthquake-101?source=relatedvideo. Where an earthquake first starts, deep within our earth, is called the focus or hypocenter. The place in which the earthquake occurs on the crust of our earth, directly above the focus, is called the epicenter. This is where the earthquake is first felt. These two points help us to describe earthquake location and the source of the seismic waves it creates that shake the crust of our earth. After the earthquake passes, the extra energy that was released during the earthquake continues to create aftershocks. Sometimes aftershocks of an earthquake can be even more damaging then the main earthquake itself. |
See earthquake animation here: |
The effects of an earthquake are devastating. They can topple buildings, rip apart houses, injure and cause deaths, crack and break roadways and paths, pull down structures and infrastructure, break water pipes, telephone towers and electricity lines, destroy transport and transport routes, bringing down the economy and trade, as well as causing further natural disasters. Earthquakes may lead to tsunamis, if the seismic waves are travel through the ocean, landslides or avalanches and fires if the earthquake ruptures any gas pipes. This natural disaster can pollute rivers and water ways, and the uncleanliness can spread disease.
Earthquakes in the Philippines can have varied effects and there is at least one earthquake that occurs every two days, however they are often undetectable to humans. This means that there is often no damage to buildings or infrastructure, however, there is the odd earthquake that causes serious damage; such as the recent October 15, 2013 earthquake which killed over twenty people. Some other effects on the biosphere include: ecosystem disruption, human and animal deaths and plants are destroyed. Earthquakes can even destroy food crops leaving the population with little food to survive the after effects of the earthquakes.
Effects of Earthquakes on the Lithosphere, Atmosphere, Hydrosphere and Society
What the four spheres are, and who we are referring to when we say society.
On our planet Earth, we have four spheres that classify four key elements that are essential to our and every other entities' existence; we have the biosphere, the lithosphere, the atmosphere and the hydrosphere.
The biosphere is the governor of all life on earth. Just as the root word bio means life, the biosphere contains humans, plants, mammals, birds, marine life and insects.
The lithosphere is made up of the crust and upper mantle of our earth. It contains rock, minerals, metals, fossils and the tectonic plates. Right below the lithosphere is the asthenosphere, which is made up of molten rock. The tectonic plates float upon this semi-liquid.
The atmosphere can easily be interpreted as the ‘giant bubble’ of air surrounding our earth. Nitrogen can be found in the largest percentage, but the atmosphere also contains oxygen that we breathe; carbon dioxide which we breathe out and plants breathe in; argon which we use in our lightbulbs; water vapor, which is also part of the hydrosphere; and small amounts of other gases. Our atmosphere also contains the Ozone layer, which protects us from the sun’s harsh UV light.
Last but not least, the hydrosphere. Hydro, meaning water tells us that the hydrosphere contains all the water on Earth. Lakes, rivers. oceans, seas, snow, ice, water vapor and the water inside of us and in plants and animals; water is essential to all life here on earth.
When we are referring to society, we are making reference to the Philippine society affected by the earthquake. The families, children, adults and seniors alike who are caught up in the midst of the commotion caused by this deadly natural disaster.
But how do earthquakes affect all of these areas?
When an earthquake hits, it causes major destruction. It rips down houses, buildings and infrastructure such as bridges that allow access to other parts of the country. It rips apart roads, bursts water pipes, topples over telephone towers, brings down and breaks electricity towers and wires and leaves the area in a state of utter and complete disarray.
It also affects trade and businesses. Crops could be flattened and ripped apart, shops and their wares could be broken and destroyed, and this also creates the perfect opportunity for people to steal from stores. Access to necessities such as food stores or medical centers would be limited.
On our planet Earth, we have four spheres that classify four key elements that are essential to our and every other entities' existence; we have the biosphere, the lithosphere, the atmosphere and the hydrosphere.
The biosphere is the governor of all life on earth. Just as the root word bio means life, the biosphere contains humans, plants, mammals, birds, marine life and insects.
The lithosphere is made up of the crust and upper mantle of our earth. It contains rock, minerals, metals, fossils and the tectonic plates. Right below the lithosphere is the asthenosphere, which is made up of molten rock. The tectonic plates float upon this semi-liquid.
The atmosphere can easily be interpreted as the ‘giant bubble’ of air surrounding our earth. Nitrogen can be found in the largest percentage, but the atmosphere also contains oxygen that we breathe; carbon dioxide which we breathe out and plants breathe in; argon which we use in our lightbulbs; water vapor, which is also part of the hydrosphere; and small amounts of other gases. Our atmosphere also contains the Ozone layer, which protects us from the sun’s harsh UV light.
Last but not least, the hydrosphere. Hydro, meaning water tells us that the hydrosphere contains all the water on Earth. Lakes, rivers. oceans, seas, snow, ice, water vapor and the water inside of us and in plants and animals; water is essential to all life here on earth.
When we are referring to society, we are making reference to the Philippine society affected by the earthquake. The families, children, adults and seniors alike who are caught up in the midst of the commotion caused by this deadly natural disaster.
But how do earthquakes affect all of these areas?
When an earthquake hits, it causes major destruction. It rips down houses, buildings and infrastructure such as bridges that allow access to other parts of the country. It rips apart roads, bursts water pipes, topples over telephone towers, brings down and breaks electricity towers and wires and leaves the area in a state of utter and complete disarray.
It also affects trade and businesses. Crops could be flattened and ripped apart, shops and their wares could be broken and destroyed, and this also creates the perfect opportunity for people to steal from stores. Access to necessities such as food stores or medical centers would be limited.
Not only do earthquakes pose a major problem to society because of all the money that must be spent on repairs, but it also poses a major threat emotionally not just economically.
With roads and major travel routes destroyed, many people cannot travel to check on their relatives who may live far away. It also eliminates the opportunity to escape the area or visit another, as many bridges that lead to another part of the country may be obliterated, with no way to cross unless you have a boat. If someone was caught out in an earthquake away from home, they may not be able to get back to check that the rest of their family is safe because transport and its routes are inaccessible. This also means that families who had flown overseas to the Philippines may be stuck there, as airports would be damaged, and services cancelled.
To further worsen this, families cannot contact each other by phone or via e-mail or various other messaging services because the phone towers and electricity poles and wires are broken and destroyed; therefore, there is no reception or internet access to contact, and families are left worrying for each other’s safety and are left in suspense, wondering if their brother or sister, son or daughter has survived.
Furthermore, with the destruction of electricity wires, no one has access to any appliances or general needs, such as lighting, heat, cooling and cooking. This makes for tough living conditions, and paired with the significant damages made to homes makes it a very undesirable condition to live in.
Earthquakes also cause heartbreak. Earthquakes don’t only destroy homes and buildings; they destroy lives. Collapsing buildings, rubble and debris falls from above, trapping people underneath it. Sharp broken stone leaves scrapes on your legs as you pass through, wood leaves splinters in your feet, your head is bleeding from the ceiling collapsing upon you, yet you struggle on your own to try to free your brother, whose leg looks twisted and broken beyond repair, trapped under piles of stone and concrete.
Not only do earthquakes injure thousands upon thousands of people, but also in some cases can result in death. Families mourn over their friends and relatives who have died or are in hospital with serious injuries, all because of the earthquake.
We now know how earthquakes affect society, and onto the environment. When an earthquake affects one sphere, it often leads to that sphere affecting other spheres, causing a chain reaction.
Earthquakes affect the biosphere through how it affects us humans and society, by damaging our homes and communities, and by injuring and killing. It affects animals in the same way. Animals habitats are often destroyed in the event of an earthquake, and many would have to migrate to a newer or safer area, if they survive. Unlike us, if animals get injured, they don’t have a hospital to visit if they are severely injured, and because of this, many animals die from earthquakes and from injury caused by earthquakes. However, many animals can sense when an earthquake is about to happen, so many run away before it occurs. Because of this, more animals would actually die due to the major changes in their environment than being injured.
In a similar fashion, tsunamis caused by earthquakes cause a lot of sea creatures to be thrown out of their marine habitat onto land, where they die.
Earthquakes do affect plants, uprooting trees, ripping up bushes and plants, but the damage made to plant life is less significant than to animals.
With roads and major travel routes destroyed, many people cannot travel to check on their relatives who may live far away. It also eliminates the opportunity to escape the area or visit another, as many bridges that lead to another part of the country may be obliterated, with no way to cross unless you have a boat. If someone was caught out in an earthquake away from home, they may not be able to get back to check that the rest of their family is safe because transport and its routes are inaccessible. This also means that families who had flown overseas to the Philippines may be stuck there, as airports would be damaged, and services cancelled.
To further worsen this, families cannot contact each other by phone or via e-mail or various other messaging services because the phone towers and electricity poles and wires are broken and destroyed; therefore, there is no reception or internet access to contact, and families are left worrying for each other’s safety and are left in suspense, wondering if their brother or sister, son or daughter has survived.
Furthermore, with the destruction of electricity wires, no one has access to any appliances or general needs, such as lighting, heat, cooling and cooking. This makes for tough living conditions, and paired with the significant damages made to homes makes it a very undesirable condition to live in.
Earthquakes also cause heartbreak. Earthquakes don’t only destroy homes and buildings; they destroy lives. Collapsing buildings, rubble and debris falls from above, trapping people underneath it. Sharp broken stone leaves scrapes on your legs as you pass through, wood leaves splinters in your feet, your head is bleeding from the ceiling collapsing upon you, yet you struggle on your own to try to free your brother, whose leg looks twisted and broken beyond repair, trapped under piles of stone and concrete.
Not only do earthquakes injure thousands upon thousands of people, but also in some cases can result in death. Families mourn over their friends and relatives who have died or are in hospital with serious injuries, all because of the earthquake.
We now know how earthquakes affect society, and onto the environment. When an earthquake affects one sphere, it often leads to that sphere affecting other spheres, causing a chain reaction.
Earthquakes affect the biosphere through how it affects us humans and society, by damaging our homes and communities, and by injuring and killing. It affects animals in the same way. Animals habitats are often destroyed in the event of an earthquake, and many would have to migrate to a newer or safer area, if they survive. Unlike us, if animals get injured, they don’t have a hospital to visit if they are severely injured, and because of this, many animals die from earthquakes and from injury caused by earthquakes. However, many animals can sense when an earthquake is about to happen, so many run away before it occurs. Because of this, more animals would actually die due to the major changes in their environment than being injured.
In a similar fashion, tsunamis caused by earthquakes cause a lot of sea creatures to be thrown out of their marine habitat onto land, where they die.
Earthquakes do affect plants, uprooting trees, ripping up bushes and plants, but the damage made to plant life is less significant than to animals.
An earthquake occurs because two tectonic plates located in the lithosphere rub against each other. This moving of tectonic plates in our lithosphere is the cause and affects the earthquake through its intensity, and can create large cracks and holes in the ground where the earth has been broken or pulled apart. This also may create faults, ridges, cliffs, mountains, crevices, valleys and other natural geological features on our land. Through this, the vibrations that the earthquake creates can create landslides, which can further result in deaths in the biosphere. The moving of the tectonic plates can also lead to another natural disaster, volcanoes. The magma from deep in the earth can push out of the crust, forming a volcano, and erupt, causing widespread destruction to forests and plant life, animals and the atmosphere, because of the ash and gases released. Volcanoes as well as gas pipes that are broken in the tsunami can catch alight flammable materials such as dried grass and leaves and start a fire.
The atmosphere is largely safe when it comes to earthquakes. The few ways it is affected is through sediment, debris and dust from the ground flying up into our atmosphere. This may cause breathing problems with a significant amount of dust but is mainly harmless. However, many earthquakes cause gases to flow out from deep inside the earth when it separates. These gases may include nitrogen and various other toxic gases that may be harmful to our breathing.
Tsunamis are the most significant effect to the hydrosphere caused by earthquakes. Tsunamis don't only affect the hydrosphere but the biosphere as well. It can tear up marine habitats and kill animals that are washed ashore. Earthquakes may also open up cracks or places in the earth in which new lakes or rivers may form. Earthquakes in the Philippines can also damage riverbeds which can cause problems for marine-life living there, deplete fish sources and churn up silt which can lead to deposits onto both beaches and reefs endangering even more animals that live in those habitats disrupting the marine food chain of the Philippines. Earthquakes can also stir up a lot of sediment and cause debris from buildings and structures to fall in the ocean or marine habitat, polluting the waters, making it murky and dirty and often dangerous for animals who may try to eat or get stuck in some of the materials or objects. The polluted water can also cause sickness in us if we drink it, and it also opens up a perfect opportunity for diseases and sickness to spread.
Tsunamis are the most significant effect to the hydrosphere caused by earthquakes. Tsunamis don't only affect the hydrosphere but the biosphere as well. It can tear up marine habitats and kill animals that are washed ashore. Earthquakes may also open up cracks or places in the earth in which new lakes or rivers may form. Earthquakes in the Philippines can also damage riverbeds which can cause problems for marine-life living there, deplete fish sources and churn up silt which can lead to deposits onto both beaches and reefs endangering even more animals that live in those habitats disrupting the marine food chain of the Philippines. Earthquakes can also stir up a lot of sediment and cause debris from buildings and structures to fall in the ocean or marine habitat, polluting the waters, making it murky and dirty and often dangerous for animals who may try to eat or get stuck in some of the materials or objects. The polluted water can also cause sickness in us if we drink it, and it also opens up a perfect opportunity for diseases and sickness to spread.
Article By Stefanie Sos
Date Published: 9th of September, 2014