Lesson 1: Ground Shaking

The Cause: Seismic Waves

Imagine tossing a pebble into a pond. Ripples spread outward in all directions, right?
Earthquakes trigger similar waves traveling through the Earth's interior (body waves)
and along the surface (surface waves). These seismic waves cause the ground to
shake.

 Body Waves: There are two main types:

o Primary waves (P-waves) - They travel fastest, like pushing and pulling
the ground back and forth. Imagine a slinky being stretched and
compressed.
o Secondary waves (S-waves) - These cause side-to-side shaking and are
more damaging to structures. Think of shaking a jump rope side-to-side.
 Surface Waves: These waves travel slower but cause more intense shaking,
especially on soft ground.
o Rayleigh waves - Imagine waves rolling along the ground like an ocean
wave, but shaking the ground vertically and horizontally.
o Love waves - These waves shake the ground from side to side, similar to
S-waves but only travel along the surface.

Intensity of Ground Shaking

The severity of shaking depends on several factors:

 Earthquake Magnitude: This measures the total energy released by the

earthquake. Higher magnitude generally translates to stronger shaking.
 Distance from Epicenter: The shaking weakens as the waves travel outward
from the earthquake's source (epicenter).
 Local Geology: Soft, unconsolidated ground shakes more violently than solid
rock.

Impact of Ground Shaking

Ground shaking is the most destructive force of earthquakes. It can cause:

 Building Damage: Cracks, collapsed walls, and even complete building failure
can occur depending on the shaking intensity and building construction quality.
 Landslides: Shaking can dislodge rocks and soil on slopes, triggering landslides
that can bury structures and roads.
 Tsunamis: Powerful underwater earthquakes can generate large waves that
travel towards coastlines, causing tsunamis.

Preparing for Ground Shaking

Living in earthquake-prone areas necessitates preparedness:

 Earthquake-resistant construction: Building codes in these areas mandate

earthquake-resistant features to minimize damage during shaking.
 Securing your home: Bolt furniture to walls, secure cabinets, and strap down
appliances to prevent them from becoming projectiles during shaking.
 Having an earthquake plan: Discuss and practice a plan with your family for
what to do during and after an earthquake, including drop, cover, and hold
procedures.
 Emergency supplies: Prepare an emergency kit with food, water, first aid
supplies, a battery-powered radio, and other essentials to survive for several
days after an earthquake.