Earthquakes
Earthquakes are the result of plate tectonics, or shifting plates in the crust of Earth, and quakes occur when the frictional stress of gliding plate boundaries builds and causes failure at a fault line. In an earthquake, elastic strain energy is released and waves radiate, shaking the ground. Scientists can predict where major temblors might occur in a general sense, but research does not yet allow forecasts for specific locations or accurate predictions of timing. Major earthquakes, some generating tsunamis, have leveled entire cities and affected whole countries. Relatively minor earthquakes can also be induced, or caused by human activity, including extraction of minerals from Earth and the collapse of large buildings.
Latest about Earthquakes
450-mile-wide solid metal ball forms Earth's innermost core, earthquake waves reveal
By JoAnna Wendel published
Scientists calculated the diameter of Earth's innermost core using earthquake waves that bounced through the planet 'like ping-pong balls.'
Why was the earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria so deadly?
By Ben Turner published
The Feb. 6 earthquake in Turkey and Syria was so deadly because the region sits on a boundary between multiple tectonic plates, while soil and building conditions make strong earthquakes more likely to cause damage.
How big is the largest possible earthquake?
By Stephanie Pappas published
The amount of energy released in an earthquake is controlled by how much of the crust breaks. The good news is, we're not likely to see a magnitude 10.
The 20 largest recorded earthquakes in history
By Tia Ghose published
A handful of regions around the world regularly unleash terrifyingly large earthquakes. Here are the 20 largest earthquakes on record.
Dino-killing asteroid triggered 'mega-earthquake' that rocked the planet for months
By Stephanie Pappas published
The dinosaur-killing Chicxulub impact triggered a months-long mega-earthquake that left its mark in the rock.
Scientists find evidence for biggest earthquake in human history
By Ben Turner last updated
The gigantic megaquake is matched only by the 1960 Valdivia earthquake in the same region.
Seismic Speed Bumps Found in Chile's Earthquake Zone
By Becky Oskin last updated
Two huge blobs of dense rock jammed deep beneath Chile's coastline acted like seismic speed bumps during the magnitude-8.8 Maule earthquake in 2010, according to a new study.
Magnitude 5.9 earthquake hits Afghanistan, killing at least 1,000
By Nicoletta Lanese published
The quake occurred near the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.
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