Earthquakes: Causes and Global Locations

Understanding what makes the Earth shake Exploring where earthquakes happen around the world

What Do You Think?

Have you ever felt the ground shake? What do you think causes earthquakes? Where do you think earthquakes happen most?

What is an Earthquake?

A sudden shaking of the ground Caused by movements deep inside the Earth Can be gentle or very powerful Happens when rocks break or move underground

Inside Our Planet

Tectonic Plates - Earth's Moving Puzzle

Earth's crust is broken into large pieces called plates These plates move very slowly - like your fingernails growing When plates bump, push, or slide past each other, earthquakes happen There are about 15 major plates around the world

Plate Movement Activity

Use two books to represent tectonic plates Slowly push them together - feel the pressure build Suddenly let one slip past the other This is similar to how earthquakes happen!

Types of Plate Movements

{"left":"Plates pushing together (like a car crash)\nPlates pulling apart (like tearing paper)","right":"Plates sliding past each other (like hands rubbing together)\nEach type can cause different earthquakes"}

Global Earthquake Map

Famous Earthquake Locations

Japan - sits on several moving plates California, USA - San Andreas Fault Turkey and Greece - where plates meet New Zealand - on the Pacific Ring of Fire

Remember This!

Earthquakes happen when pieces of Earth's crust move and bump into each other. They occur most often along the edges of these moving pieces, especially around the Pacific Ocean.