Natalie Nepa

Since Earth is always moving and shifting and constantly being pushed and pulled much strain can be built up over time. We have learned that earthquakes occur when strain that has been built up over a period of time is suddenly released. When this happens the crust begins to shake and tremble, this movement is commonly referred to as an earthquake.

In some cases earthquakes can cause damage to cities and towns and even take lives, but depending upon the earthquake's strength and the location of the scene, earthquakes can be harmless or barley even felt by people.

Stress Released

Earthquakes are classified by a scale called the Richter Scale. It ranges from 0-10 where 0 is the weakest and 10 is the strongest. With this scientists can rate the earthquake, but they are also learning how to predict one.

The happening of earthquakes on Earth is not random. Earth is made up of plates that are moving frequently. Usually earthquakes accumulate along these plate boundaries. It is easy for scientists predict when an earthquake will strike, but predicting where is difficult.

To track which plates have a better chance of an earthquakes occurring scientists are coming up with new technology. They use tools such as satellites. The satellites will examine the Earth's crust. Different satellites can track movement, temperature changes, elevation, etc.

An example of a tool used to track plates is Interferometric-Synthetic Aperture Radar. This can be a satellite or an aircraft that takes pictures from space and sends them down to use so we can interpret them. By doing this it will help us predict earthquakes.

There are many different factors involved with earthquake prediction, one being the study of past events. Scientists study the earthquake’s intensity is a specific place because this will help them predict what the next earthquake will be like in this same location. Scientists would have been able to figure out the exact time of when an earthquake hits but due the very deep earth crust, they are unable too. However, they use other factors to get them to a closer prediction.

Satellites are a more updated tool that scientists are using. With satellites scientists can see changes in the ground motion, while also determining where areas of high strain are building up. Earthquakes can be spotted sometimes when ground temperature rapidly increases. Scientists can get the information by looking at infrared radiation which shares information on ground temperature. Seismographs are another factor in earthquake prediction. They tell scientists about ground movement along seismic waves. From past earthquakes too deep into the ocean and as far out as space, it all comes together to create a scientific earthquake prediction.

Earthquakes in general happen along oceanic and continental plates It is unusual for big earthquakes to happen on the same plates but the amount of stress and strain can contribute to a bigger (or smaller) outcome.

Some examples of places that get bigger earthquakes are; Western North America, Western South America and islands off the coast of East Asia.

The black circles symbolize the locations where many of the big earthquakes frequently strike.

The lines represent convergent boundaries and the green dots represent big earthquakes.

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1.West Coast of U.S. 2.Southern Mexico to Northern Latin

America 3.Western Coast Latin America 4.Northern Africa (above Africa) 5.Southern Alaska 6.Southeast Africa 7.Northern India (above India) 8.Indonesia 9.East Coast of Asia 10.Papua New Guinea

This area was chosen because I noticed many earthquakes clustered in this area. These could be foreshocks leading up to a bigger earthquake.

I chose this area because it receives many earthquakes each year. It is due for a big quake.

This area was chosen because all of the earthquake data that has took place in this region.

I chose this are because of the excessive amounts of small earthquakes this area receives.

This area was chosen because there have been many minor earthquakes occurring in this region. This might be earthquakes leading up to one giant earthquake.

I chose this area because there are many smaller earthquakes spread out in this region and I believe that is overdue for a big earthquake.

I chose this place because this is a common area for many large and minor earthquakes to occur.

This area was chose because the is a plate that runs right under this area and it would make sense for an earthquake to take place here.

I chose this area because again this is a place where there are many earthquakes that could be foreshocks leading up to a bigger earthquake.

I chose this are because there has been much slight movement in this region. This might help us predict a quake happening in this region.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richter_magnitude_scale http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/

Interferometric_synthetic_aperture_radar http://serc.carleton.edu/eet/earthquakes2/

case_study.html http://www.geerassociation.org/GEER_Post%20EQ

%20Reports/Bhuj_2001/india_photo.htm http://www.fotolibra.com/gallery/49745/diagram-of-

earthquake-illustration/ http://www.stanford.edu/group/radar/group.html http://denali.gsfc.nasa.gov/sci_hi/sci_hi_12_01/

dec01.html http://www.windows2universe.org/earth/interior/

plate_tectonics.html http://www.visionlearning.com/library/

module_viewer.php?mid=109