What is an earthquake?
Earthquakes happen when rocks beneath the Earth’s surface move or break, causing the ground to shake. The shaking can range from mild vibrations to strong movements that can damage buildings, roads, and bridges. Earthquakes occur along cracks in the Earth’s crust, called fault lines. Sometimes, they can cause landslides or tsunamis if they happen near the ocean. To measure the strength of an earthquake, scientists use the Richter scale, which assigns a number from 1 to 10. Bigger numbers mean a stronger earthquake. To stay safe during an earthquake, remember to “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” by getting under a sturdy table and staying away from windows and heavy objects that could fall.
What is a tsunami?
A tsunami is a series of massive waves caused by an underwater earthquake, volcanic eruption, or landslide. These waves can travel at high speeds across the ocean and grow very tall when they reach land. Tsunamis can cause severe damage to coastal areas by flooding homes, uprooting trees, and washing away buildings. Scientists use tools called tsunami buoys to measure the size and speed of waves in the ocean. If you’re near the ocean and see the water suddenly pull back, it’s a warning sign of a tsunami. Move to higher ground immediately to stay safe.
Safety Guidelines
