FAULTS AND EARTHQUAKES

Tectonic Plates and Earthquakes

The Earth is composed of three layers: the crust, the mantle, and the core. The top layer of the
mantle and the crust is composed of mixtures of rocks and minerals that serve as puzzle pieces that
keep on moving slowly, sliding past each other, and bumping into each other. These are
called tectonic plates, and the edges of these plates are called plate boundaries.

The area or boundary where these plates meet is called a fault. A fault is a thin break of rock that
separates blocks of the Earth’s crust. Faults are classified according to the movement of the two
blocks of crust relative to each other.

The plate boundaries are composed of faults which are the source of most of the earthquakes
worldwide. The continuous movement between plates builds up and produces stress and strain
until the rocky crust can no longer hold it, and finally snaps releasing energy that travels in the
form of waves.

Earthquakes
Earthquakes or tremor are the shaking of the Earth's surface due to the release of energy from the
movement of plates creating waves called seismic waves.

Types of Faults

 Normal faults occur when the crust is being pulled apart where the hanging wall moves
downward with respect to the foot wall.
 Reverse faults occur when the crust are being compressed which the hanging wall moves
upward with respect to the foot wall.

 Strike-Slip faults occur when the blocks of crust slide past each other. It can either be a
left-lateral slip or a right-lateral slip.

Keypoints
 Tectonic plates are plates that keep on moving slowly, sliding past each other, and
bumping into each other.
 Plate boundaries are the edges of the tectonic plates.
 A fault is an area or boundary where these plates meet.
 Earthquakes are the shaking of the Earth's surface due to the release of energy from the
movement of plates creating waves called seismic waves.
 There are three types of faults according to the movement of blocks of Earth's crust
according to each other: normal, reverse, and strike-slip fault.
 EARTHQUAKE: ORIGIN & STRENGTH

 Focus is the point under the ground where an earthquake begins. This is the location where
the rocks are weakest.

 Epicenter is the point on the Earth's surface directly above the focus. This is the location
where vibrations begin.

 The intensity of an earthquake refers to the effects and damage caused by the earthquake. It
can be scaled by going to all the areas that was hit by the earthquake and observing the damage
and the experience of the people in the area.

According to the Modified Mercalli Scale, the following effects of earthquakes or

the intensity are arranged according to increasing level:

 The earthquake is felt indoors, like a small truck passing. Hanging objects swing slightly.
 The earthquake is felt both inside and outside structures. Some furniture moves and weak
plaster cracks.
 People are in panic. Ordinary masonry and foundations are damaged.
 Few buildings are left standing. Large bridges are destroyed.

Example
To indicate the intensity of an earthquake in the Philippines, the Philippine Institute of
Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) uses the following scale:
 The magnitude of an earthquake refers to the amount of energy that is released by the
earthquake. It is measured using a seismograph following the Richter scale.

Example
After measuring the amount of energy released by the earthquake, the results were compared to
the Richter Scale to determine its magnitude.

Keypoints
 Focus is the point where an earthquake starts.

 Epicenter is the point on the Earth's surface directly above the focus.

 Intensity is the amount of damage caused by an earthquake.

 Magnitude is the amount of energy released by an earthquake.

 Earthquake: active & inactive
faults, tsunamis

Active and Inactive Faults

An active fault is a fault that will likely have another displacement or cause an earthquake
sometime in the future. Faults are considered to be active if they have moved one or more times in
the last 10 000 years. They are regarded as geologic hazards - adverse geologic conditions that
cause damage or loss whether in properties or life. The movement of active faults may result in
tectonic deformation, landslides, rock falls, liquefaction, and tsunamis.

Inactive Faults
An inactive fault is a fault that has not moved over the last 10 000 years. However, because of
the complexity of the earthquake activity, an inactive fault can still be considered active in the
future.

Tsunamis
When an underwater fault moves and generates an earthquake, a tsunami may be formed.
Tsunamis are created by underwater earthquakes that have a magnitude 6.75 based on the Richter
scale. They move across the sea at up to 900 kilometers per hour, about as fast as a jet plane. At
this speed, they can travel across the entire Pacific Ocean in just a few hours.

A tsunami is often comprised of a wave train - a series of waves. Therefore, its destructive force
may be magnified as the waves reach the shore. People experiencing a tsunami should remember
that the danger may not have passed after the first wave.

Warning Signs of Tsunamis

1. A warning sign of a tsunami is when a vacuum effect occurs along the shore.
2. Coastal water appears to be sucked, and seafloors are exposed.
3. This retreating of sea water means a large volume of water will hit the shore five minutes or
so later. Recognizing this phenomenon can save lives.

The best defense against any tsunami is an early warning that tells people to move to higher
ground.

Keypoints
 An active fault is a fault that has moved once or more than once in the last 10 000 years,
and would likely to move sometime in the future.
 An inactive fault is a fault that has not moved over the last 10 000 years.
 A tsunami comprises of a wave train or a series of waves and created by underwater
earthquakes.