Verified Document

Impact Of Plate Movements On Earthquakes Essay

¶ … Continental Plates and Earthquakes Natural events or disasters like earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanoes are dangerous incidents given their significant impact on life and property. Given their devastating impacts, the causes of natural disasters have attracted considerable concern among the public and scientists. One of the most important ways to understand the causes of these events is by examining the science behind them. Even though these events differ in the manner in which they occur, they are largely attributable to tectonic plate movement. Since tectonic plate movement plays a major role in the occurrence of natural disasters, these incidents have relatively similar geological beginnings. An example of a natural disaster whose occurrence is brought by tectonic or continental plate movement is earthquake.

Overview of an Earthquake

An earthquake is basically regarded as a natural event that takes place when two blocks of the Earth slip past each other abruptly (Wald par, 1). The surface where blocks of the Earth slip past each other is known as the fault plane or fault whereas the location where the earthquake begins below the Earth's surface is known as the hypocenter. Since earthquakes take place after two blocks of the Earth slip past each other unexpectedly, they can occur anywhere in the globe. However, most of the earthquakes that take place tend to do so in the region where most of the volcanoes are found i.e. the Ring of...

Tectonic or continental plates are the many different pieces of the Earth's crust that combine together like a puzzle to cover the whole planet. These plates in turn comprise an outer layer of the Earth that is commonly known as the lithosphere that tends to function as a more or less rigid shell. The rigid plates in the Earth's lithosphere are in relative motion and affect humans in various means including generating volcanism, causes earthquakes, and mountain-building ("The Theory of Plate Tectonics" par, 1). Therefore, without plate tectonics and movement of continental plates, the Earth would have less volcanism, fewer earthquakes, and relatively no deep-sea trenches.
The Science of Earthquakes

As evident in the above discussion, earthquakes and other natural disasters are brought by tectonic plate movement. Tectonic plates are puzzle pieces or the many parts that make up the Earth's crust while the edges of these plates are known as plate boundaries. According to Wald, the plate boundaries consists many faults, which are the most common sources of earthquakes throughout the world (par, 3). Tectonic plates are made of rock and drift and move vertically and horizontally upon the surface of the Earth. When these plates move for a long period of time, they change in size through additions…

Sources used in this document:
Works Cited

"Oceanic/Continental: The Andes." Plate Tectonics. The Geological Society, n.d. Web. 4 June

2016. <https://www.geolsoc.org.uk/Plate-Tectonics/Chap3-Plate-Margins/Convergent/Oceanic-continental>.

"The Theory of Plate Tectonics." Department of Geoscience - University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System, n.d. Web. 4 June 2016. <http://geoscience.wisc.edu/~chuck/Classes/Mtn_and_Plates/pl_tectonics.html>.
Wald. U.S. Geological Survey, 7 Apr. 2016. Web. 4 June 2016. <http://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/kids/eqscience.php>.
Cite this Document:
Copy Bibliography Citation

Related Documents

Plate Tectonics
Words: 3196 Length: 10 Document Type: Term Paper

plate tectonics is responsible for changing continental landmasses through geological occurrences. Thousands of years ago the earth's surface has been hypothesized as one big landmass. The Earth's surface has been constant motion. "Fragmented into giant sheets of solid rock that glide atop a layer of hotter, more pliable material, the globe's appearance is forever changing." [Cowen, 1999]. These plates are semi-rigid, floated on flow of mantle. The plates measured around

Earthquake and Tsunami
Words: 819 Length: 2 Document Type: Essay

Earthquake and Tsunami Tsunamis and earthquakes are both natural disasters arising out of the movement of the earth's tectonic plates. There are a number of risk-management plans in place that can help mitigate each disaster, but some, frankly, are more effective than others. The risk management of both earthquakes and tsunamis are entirely dependent upon the location and severity of the issue. For instance, Japan, which is prone to both, has

Tsunamis and Earthquakes in Japan This Article
Words: 1132 Length: 3 Document Type: Research Paper

Tsunamis and Earthquakes in Japan This article looks at the Geographical effects of the tsunami and earthquake. It is a research that analysis the disastrous implications of tsunamis and earthquakes to the human and physical environment of the Japanese people. It considers a geographical analysis as a type of analysis that stipulates the area covered by a study. The paper outlines the causes of tsunamis and earth quakes, areas where

California History: Earthquake of 1906
Words: 1301 Length: 5 Document Type: Thesis

Geologists describe the San Andreas fault as right-lateral strike-slip, which means that the Pacific side of the fault is slowly moving horizontally northward, usually by an inch or two per year. At times, however, the fault may suddenly lurch as much as several feet. Such movements deep in the earth produce earthquakes -- and such movements along the San Andreas fault and its branches have produced most of the

Geology Describe the Paths of Water Through
Words: 2427 Length: 7 Document Type: Term Paper

Geology Describe the paths of water through the hydrologic cycle. Explain the processes and the energy gains and losses involved in the changes of water between its three states. Operationally, we are often most concerned with what water does when it reaches the solid earth, both on the surface and in the sub-surface. Explain the relationship between the saturated zone, the water table, a groundwater well and the cone of depression,

Planning and Reflection During My Student Teaching
Words: 2663 Length: 8 Document Type: Term Paper

Planning and Reflection During my student teaching experiences I kept a journal, which greatly helped me to organize my thoughts and clarify the areas in which I most needed to improve. My mentor also pointed out for me the key areas that need improvement. Therefore, as I look forward to a professional career as a teacher, I will be able to draw on these early experiences. I will remember what works

Sign Up for Unlimited Study Help

Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.

Get Started Now