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1 In the previous class we have learnt about a natural phenomena which is
lightening .

There is, however, one natural phenomenon which we are not yet able to predict
accurately. It is an earthquake.
Now in this class we will learn about
• What is earthquake
• cause of earthquake
• how it originates
• Richter scale
• seismograph construction and working
• Precautions taken during earthquake.

So, what is an earthquake?

2 An earthquake is a sudden shaking or trembling of earth which lasts for few seconds
or minutes only. Earthquakes keep occurring all over the time, everywhere around
the world. But less severe or mild earthquakes do not cause destruction. Major
earthquakes that tremors the world occur very less frequently. They cause destruction
of bridges, roads, dams, buildings and people.
But how an earthquake occurs?
3 Earthquakes are caused due to disturbance deep inside the uppermost layer of the earth
known as the crust.
4 Lets now discuss how a disturbance is caused deep inside earth.
The outermost layer of earth is not in one piece. It is divided into fragments. Each fragment
is known as a tectonic plate. These plates are in continual motion.
5 When plates brush past each other or one plate goes under another due to collision,
disturbances are caused in the earth's crust. It is this disturbance which shows up as an
earthquake on earth's surface.
6 The boundaries of plates are the weak zones where earthquake occurence is most probable.
These weak zones or boundaries are known as seismic or fault zones.
You can see the boundaries of these plates in the world tectonic plates map.
7 Which area of earth faces most frequent earthquakes?
The area is known as Ring of fire. It is in the basin of Pacific Ocean where most frequent
volcanic activities and earthquakes occur. This includes the countries of China, Japan,
Indonesia, US, Philippines and Chile being the major areas of frequent earthquakes.
8 Can you name other possibilities that can cause an earthquake?
A volcanic eruption, a meteor hitting the earth and an underground nuclear explosion can
also cause tremors on the surface of earth. But even then most of the earthquakes are caused
due to movements of earth's plates.
9 Components of Earthquake :

The point underground where the actual breaking of the rock occurs is
called the focus. It might help to remember this by thinking of it as the
focal point of the earthquake. This is where the main event occurs
underground.

The point directly above the focus on the surface of Earth is called the
epicenter. This is where the ground shaking is usually the strongest.
From this point on the surface, the waves of energy from below ground
begin to travel outward, so you can think of this as the central point of
shaking above ground. Because the shaking is strongest here, this is also
where the most damage usually occurs.
10 Richter Scale :
Earthquakes can be of different magnitudes. The magnitude of an
earthquake is measured with the help of a scale known as the Richter
scale. The Richter scale was developed in 1935 by Charles F. Richter of
California Institute of Technology.
The magnitude of an earthquake on the Richter scale can range from 0 to 10. Earthquakes
that cause massive destruction have magnitude higher than 7 on the Richter scale.
The Richter scale is not a linear scale. This means that an earthquake of magnitude 6 does
not have twice as destructive power as the earthquake of magnitude 3. Actually, an
earthquake with magnitude 5 is ten times more destructive than an earthquake of magnitude
4. The Richter scale is a logarithmic scale. You will learn more about logarithmic scales in
your higher classes.

Richter Description Earthquake effects

magnitude
0 – 2.0 Micro Micro-earthquakes. They are not even
felt.
2.0 − 2.9 Minor These earthquakes are generally not felt,
but can be recorded.

3.0 – 3.9 Minor These earthquakes are often felt, but

rarely cause damage.
4.0 – 4.9 Light Noticeable shaking of indoor items and
rattling noises are produced during these
earthquakes. However, the probability of
significant damage is very low.
5.0 – 5.9 Moderate These earthquakes can cause major
damage to poorly constructed buildings
in small regions.
 6.0 – 6.9 Strong These earthquakes can be destructive
across large populated areas.
7.0 – 7.9 Major These earthquakes cause serious damage
over large areas.
8.0 – 8.9 Great These earthquakes can cause serious
damage in areas several hundred
kilometers across.
9.0 - 9.9 Great These earthquakes can be devastating in
areas several thousand kilometers across.
10 Epic An earthquake with a magnitude of 10 in
the Richter scale has never been
recorded.

The magnitude of the earthquake which recently hit China was 8 on the
Richter scale.
Tsunami, which hit the Indian Ocean on 26th December in 2004, had a magnitude of 9 on
the Richter scale. Its duration being as long as 10 minutes.
The earthquake that hit the bhuj area had a magnitude more than 7.5.

So can there be earthquakes above 10?

May be. But till now not recorded. Highest have been 9.5.
11 Richter scale is not a linear scale. That means an earthquake of magnitude 8 is not double in
strength than that of magnitude 4. In fact with an increase of 2 on the scale, the strength or
destructive energy of the earthquake increase by 1000 times. That means an earthquake of
magnitude 8 is 1000000 times more destructive than that of magnitude 4!! Can you now
imagine the strength of a deadly earthquake. Let now discuss some of the deadliest
earthquakes happened in history.

Inst for teacher: Make clear to students what do we mean by with an increase in 2 lets
say from 4 to 6. Explain how on increasing 4 on scale, magnitude becomes 1000000
times.
12 The Valdivia earthquake of 22 May, 1960 was the strongest earthquake ever recorded rating
9.5 on the scale and lasted for about 10 minutes. The earthquake resulted in a tsunami
thereafter in the Pacific Ocean and affecting Chile, Hawai, Japan, Philippines, New Zealand
and some parts of Australia. The city of Valvadia in Chile was affected the most, thats why
the name of earthquake.
13 The tremors produced on the surface of the earth produce waves and these waves can be
graphed and recorded. Yes, it is done to plot the map of earthquake. Can you name the
instrument which is used to plot these graphs?
It is known as seismograph. Lets discuss how it is constructed and its working.
The waves produced due to tremors on the surface of earth are known as seismic waves.
These waves are recorded by a seismograph. The instrument consists of a vibrating rod, or a
pendulum which starts vibrating when tremors occur. A pen is attached to the vibrating
system. The pen records the seismic waves on a paper which moves under it. By studying
these waves, scientist can plot the whole map and can also predict the strength of the
earthquake.
14 do you know there are other natural calamities that can be triggered by an earthquake?
Floods, landslides and tsunami are other natural disasters that can be bought about by an
earthquake. Disturbance inside the earth's surface under the sea, can cause giant waves to
form, which takes form of tsunami. Simialrly, floods in rivers can also be triggered by an
earthquake. Landslides are commonly encountered when earthquakes hit a hilly area.
A major tsunami strikes the coastal area of northeastern Japan after the deadly TOHOKU
earthquake.

How floods occur by an earthquake?

Earthquake tremors the ground, squeezing water out of ground, pipes, destroying dams and
river banks.
15 Now that we know that an earthquake can cause destruction on large scale and can be
hazardous to life, we must know how to protect ourselves when an earthquake is happening
or if we live in the highly prone areas for earthquakes.
People living in these areas should be prepared all the time as the earthquakes cannot be
predicted.
Buildings should be designed in such a way that either they can withstand major tremors or
they are made of the material which do not cause much harm to life on falling down.
Have you heard of a 'quake free' structure? It is the structure defined for buildings which are
made to withstand earthquakes or cause less destruction. Lets see how we can make these
kinds of structures.
• Use of isolation bearings at the base avoid slipping of buildings when the ground
moves.
• Better to fix cupboards and shelves to the wall so that they do not fall easily during
the earthquake.

How isolation bearing avoid falling of buildings?

It makes the base movable so that when the earth slides, the base also slides with it and
protect the building from falling.
16 • In seismic zones, use of mud or timber is better than heavy construction material.
• Keep the roofs as light as possible to prevent high damage to life and property
• Some buildings may catch fire due to an earthquake. It is necessary that fire fighting
equipments are installed and shopuld be in working condition in these buildings.
17 Now lets take a look on what steps you must take when you are inside home and an
earthquake strikes.
• Take shelter under a table or bed and stay there till the tremors are gone.
• Stay away from tall and heavy objects and try to cover your head with some light
material.
• If you are in bed, do not get up. Cover your head with a pillow.
• If possible, come out of the house and run to an open ground near you away from
heavy structures.
18 What if you are outside your house and an earthquake strikes? Let see what we should do in
order to protect us from the effects to some extent.
• Try to stay in a open ground which do not have buildings, trees, poles and overhead
power lines near it.
• If you are in car or bus, do not come out. Slowly drive to a clear spot if possible and
wait till the tremors are gone.
• In case earhquake triggers a tsunami, evacuate to an higher height till the ocean is
calm again.
19 Ans: Its not the shaking of ground itself that claims life of so many people but it is
dstruction of man made structures with that tremble shaking, that causes loss of life and
property. Also, many other events like tsunami and landslidesx are triggered with that
shaking, causing more of its effects.