Changes

[[File:Japan quake sendai.jpg|thumb|200px|Japan quake 2011.]]

[[File:Japan quake sendai.jpg|thumb|200px|Japan quake 2011.]]

An '''earthquake''' is when the [[Earth]] shakes a perceptible amount.  As a [[counterexamples to an Old Earth|counterexample to the liberal theory of an Old Earth]], earthquakes have been increasing in frequency throughout recorded history:<ref>http://www.city-data.com/forum/alaska/1226039-increasing-frequency-major-earthquakes-2013-earthquake.html#ixzz2URWtQ6yV</ref>

An '''earthquake''' is when the [[Earth]] shakes a perceptible amount.  As a [[counterexamples to an Old Earth|counterexample to the theory of an Old Earth]], earthquakes have been increasing in frequency throughout recorded history:<ref>http://www.city-data.com/forum/alaska/1226039-increasing-frequency-major-earthquakes-2013-earthquake.html#ixzz2URWtQ6yV</ref>

*from A.D. 1 to 1800 there was a major earthquake only about every 60 years.

*from A.D. 1 to 1800 there was a major earthquake only about every 60 years.

[[Atheism|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]]s where previous movement has occurred. There are currently 500,000 detectable earthquakes in the world each year.  

[[Atheism|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]]s where previous movement has occurred. There are currently 500,000 detectable earthquakes in the world each year.  

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. A myth perpetuated by [[Old Earth]]-believers is that the most likely place for an earthquake is in proximity to tectonic plate boundaries like the San Andreas Fault.  In fact, many major earthquakes occur nowhere near a large fault line.

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. A myth perpetuated by [[Old Earth]]-believers is that the most likely place for an earthquake is in proximity to tectonic plate boundaries like the San Andreas Fault.  In fact, many major earthquakes occur nowhere near a large [[fault line]].

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 magnitude; the Mercalli scale is used to measure the felt magnitude - essentially how much the ground shakes over the [[epicenter]] 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 magnitude; the Mercalli scale is used to measure the felt magnitude - essentially how much the ground shakes over the [[epicenter]] of the quake.

==Possible Causes of Earthquakes==

==Possible Causes of Earthquakes==

'''Plate Boundaries'''

'''Plate Boundaries'''

[[File:Japan quake World latest USGS - PD.jpg|550px|left]]

[[File:Japan quake World latest USGS - PD.jpg|550px|left]]

{{Clear}}

{{Clear}}

==See also==

==See also==

* [[Natural disaster]]

* [[Natural disaster]]

* [[Seismic]]

* [[Seismic]]

* [[Loma Prieta Earthquake]]

* [[Loma Prieta Earthquake]]

* [[Richter scale]]

* [[Richter scale]]

* [[Epicenter]]

* [[Epicenter]]

* [[California]]

* [[California]]

* [[Emergency links]]

* [[Emergency links]]

==References==

==References==

*[http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/planetearth/newyork_faults_000321.html  Satellites Reveal Earthquake Faults Along Eastern U.S.]

*[http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/planetearth/newyork_faults_000321.html  Satellites Reveal Earthquake Faults Along Eastern U.S.]

*[http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/midwest/2009/03/19/98864.htm  Midwest's New Madrid Earthquake Zone: Is it dying out?]

*[http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/midwest/2009/03/19/98864.htm  Midwest's New Madrid Earthquake Zone: Is it dying out?]

*[http://earthquake.usgs.gov/regional/imw/  USGS Intermountain West Region speaks of quake danger to Idaho, Utah and Nevada]

*[http://earthquake.usgs.gov/regional/imw/  USGS Intermountain West Region speaks of quake danger to Idaho, Utah and Nevada]

 

[[Category:Seismology]]

[[Category:Seismology]]

[[Category:Natural Disasters]]

[[Category:Natural Disasters]]