Earthquakes can simply be defined as a naturally induced shaking of the ground caused by the fracture and sliding of rock within the earth's crust. There are at least 6,000 earthquakes detected throughout the world each year. Many people have heard about or experienced first hand the effects that an earthquake can have. But many people don't understand what causes them and what exactly is happening during an earthquake. In the following paper I will be …showed first 75 words of 521 total…

…showed last 75 words of 521 total…south; and east and west. The seismologists use the Richter scale to gauge the intensity of the earthquakes. Earthquakes are clearly a destructive act of nature. You now have learned about the possible effects of earthquakes. You have learned how they are caused and how they are recorded and measured. In the following pages you will find charts and tables which outline some of the greatest earthquakes of the 20th century and useful earthquake terminology.