Tectonic Earthquake
Tectonic earthquakes are the most common type of earthquake. It accounts for mostly 90% of all earthquake occurrences. They occur when the Earth’s crust, broken into large, rigid plates, moves against each other. These plates are constantly in motion, driven by forces deep within the Earth’s mantle.
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Cause of Tectonic earthquakes |
Reason |
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Plate movement |
As plates move, they can collide and slide past each other which can cause tectonic movements. |
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Collide |
When plates smash together, one plate may be forced beneath the other, creating a subduction zone. This process can cause intense earthquakes along the boundary. |
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Slide past each other |
Plates moving in opposite directions can grind against each other, creating friction and stress. When this stress builds up and overcomes the rock’s strength, the plates suddenly slip, releasing energy as an earthquake. |
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Pull apart |
As plates move away from each other, they can create rifts or valleys. The stretching and thinning of the crust in these areas can also trigger earthquakes. |
Effects of Tectonic Earthquake
- This is the most common and widespread effect of tectonic earthquakes. The intensity of the shaking can vary depending on the magnitude of the earthquake, the distance from the epicenter.
- Earthquakes can trigger landslides, especially on slopes that are already unstable.
- Underwater earthquakes can generate large waves called tsunamis. Tsunamis can travel long distances at high speeds and cause widespread devastation when they reach land.
Earthquakes Types
There are four main four types of earthquakes. They are Tectonic, Volcanic, Collapse, and Explosion. The horseshoe-shaped zone surrounding the Pacific Ocean has many subduction zones and is responsible for about 90% of the world’s major earthquakes countries like Japan, Indonesia, Chile, and the Philippines are located along this zone. Earthquake is a natural phenomenon. An earthquake is a sudden shaking of the earth’s surface caused by the movement of tectonic plates. Tectonic plates are large, rigid pieces of the Earth’s crust.
In this article, we will look into the meaning, types, causes, and effects of different types of earthquakes. Let’s start.
Table of Content
- What is an Earthquake?
- Types of Earthquakes
- Tectonic Earthquake
- Volcanic Earthquake
- Collapse Earthquake
- Explosion Earthquake
- Method of Triangulation to Detect the Center of the Earthquake
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