Changes

*in the first decade of the 21st century (2001-2010) there were about 151 such major earthquakes, or on average more than 1 per month.

*in the first decade of the 21st century (2001-2010) there were about 151 such major earthquakes, or on average more than 1 per month.

Atheistic scientists often claim that earthquakes are caused by [[plate tectonics|tectonic]] activity in an area after the release of stored [[energy]] from the [[rock]]. But, in fact, earthquakes often do not occur on tectonic plate boundaries or [[fault|faults]] where previous movement has occurred. There are currently 500,000 detectable earthquakes in the world each year.  

[[Atheist]]ic [[scientist]]s often claim that earthquakes are caused by [[plate tectonics|tectonic]] activity in an area after the release of stored [[energy]] from the [[rock]]. But, in fact, earthquakes often do not occur on tectonic plate boundaries or [[fault|faults]] where previous movement has occurred. There are currently 500,000 detectable earthquakes in the world each year.  

Earthquakes are a significant natural hazard to populations living in areas prone to them, and emergency responses to the hazard vary with economic development. The most powerful and destructive earthquakes occur at tectonic plate boundaries like the San Andreas Fault.

Earthquakes are a significant [[natural disaster]] to [[population]]s living in areas prone to them, and emergency responses to the hazard vary with [[economic]] development. The most powerful and destructive earthquakes occur at tectonic plate boundaries like the [[San Andreas Fault]].

The severity of earthquakes is measured using the Moment Magnitude scale, which replaced the [[Richter scale]] in the 1970s. The largest quake ever recorded had a magnitude of 9.5; it struck Chile in 1960.<ref>http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/world/10_largest_world.php</ref> Technically the Moment Magnitude scale only measures the absolute magnitiude; the [[Mercalli scale]] is used to measure the felt magnitude - essentially how much the ground shakes over the epicentre of the quake.

The severity of earthquakes is measured using the Moment Magnitude scale, which replaced the [[Richter scale]] in the 1970s. The largest quake ever recorded had a magnitude of 9.5; it struck [[Chile]] in 1960.<ref>http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/world/10_largest_world.php</ref> Technically the Moment Magnitude scale only measures the absolute magnitiude; the [[Mercalli scale]] is used to measure the felt magnitude - essentially how much the ground shakes over the [[epicenter]] of the quake.

==Causes of Earthquakes==

==Causes of Earthquakes==

'''Vulcanism'''

'''Vulcanism'''

The movement of magma within volcanoes can induce earthquakes. These are often an indicator of an approaching eruption, as at Mount St Helens.

The movement of magma within [[volcano]]es can induce earthquakes. These are often an indicator of an approaching eruption, as at [[Mount St Helens]].

==References==

==References==

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