Earthquake is a natural disaster that can cause loss of life and property. Earthquakes are caused by movements of the surface layers of our planet. These are called tectonic plates. These move around the world, bumping into each other, and sliding past each other. Sometimes the edges of these big plates get rough, and this can build up a lot of stress over time. Eventually, this stress gets released all at once, and the ground shakes. This is an earthquake.
There are usually two kinds of waves during an earthquake: P waves, which arrive first, and S waves, which arrive later. The P wave travels faster than the S wave. It is important to know the difference because it can help you determine how far away an earthquake is from you.
Almost all earthquakes are caused by movement on faults that are either dip-slip or strike-slip. Dip-slip faults are the most common type of fault in the world, and they produce up-and-down motions (an earthquake) that can shake the whole Earth. Strike-slip faults are the other main type of fault, and they usually cause sideways movement (an earthquake).
The most important thing to remember is that we can’t predict when or where an earthquake will happen. However, it is possible to take steps to prepare for them. We recommend that everyone living in an area prone to earthquakes should make sure their buildings are safe. They should also store heavy objects on lower shelves, and make sure that any breakable items are stored securely. Also, they should know where their gas, electricity and water shut offs are so that they can turn them off quickly if there is a problem. And, they should make sure their family knows what to do if an earthquake does happen.