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USGS Earthquakes USGS Real Time Maps Powerful EarthquakesLargest Recorded Earthquake Learning Center
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Earthquakes Shake Terribly and It's Not Your Fault.This site is purely informational. We aim to create a place where seismologists, geophysicists, geologists, and the general public can exchange ideas.. Please send contributions to admin@earthquakes.gs |
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How do Earthquakes Form?The theory of today is that of plate tectonics. Plate Tectonics was unbelievable when it first emerged and wasn't popularized until the 1960s. Previous to this theory was that of Continental Drift. It is believed that there are seven major plates that are in a continuous slow movement. The plates come in contact with each other and it creates a lot of pressure. The pressure will eventually cause transduction where one plate will go above or below a the other plate. Plates can pull apart by moving away from each other, they can move close together, or they can move in opposite directions. When pressure gives way, seismic energy waves are emitted and these energy waves are what makes the ground shake. If you want to really study earthquake formation, it is important to look at where fault lines occur and to keep track of smaller earthquakes with a seismograph station. In this way, you can see trends of how earthquakes might form.
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