Earthquake

From WikiMD's Wellnesspedia

(Redirected from Earthquakes)

Earthquake is a natural phenomenon that occurs when there is a sudden release of energy in the Earth's lithosphere that creates seismic waves. Earthquakes can range in size from those that are so weak that they cannot be felt to those violent enough to toss people around and destroy whole cities.

Causes[edit | edit source]

Earthquakes are caused primarily by the release of elastic strain energy that has been accumulated over time due to tectonic forces. The Earth's lithosphere is divided into several large and small tectonic plates, which are constantly moving. The boundaries where these plates meet are sites of intense geological activity, including earthquakes.

Effects[edit | edit source]

The effects of earthquakes can be devastating, leading to loss of life and property. They can cause buildings and other structures to collapse, trigger landslides and tsunamis, and result in other secondary effects such as fires, floods, and disease outbreaks.

Measurement[edit | edit source]

Earthquakes are measured using observations from seismometers. The moment magnitude (or the related and mostly obsolete Richter magnitude) of an earthquake is conventionally reported, with magnitude 3 or lower earthquakes being mostly imperceptible and magnitude 7 causing serious damage in populated areas.

Earthquake preparedness[edit | edit source]

Earthquake preparedness involves making arrangements and plans to ensure the safety of individuals and property before an earthquake occurs. This includes creating and practicing evacuation plans, preparing emergency supply kits, and securing heavy items to prevent them from causing injury during an earthquake.

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]


Earthquake Resources

Find a healthcare provider anywhere in the world quickly and easily!

Wiki.png

Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index‏‎ - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes

Search WikiMD


Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) available.
Advertise on WikiMD

WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. See full disclaimer.

Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.


Contributors: Admin, Prab R. Tumpati, MD