Earthquake Writing

Earthquakes An Earthquake is when two of the tectonics covering the surface of the earth bump and pass each other. There are 20 tectonic plates covering them just like jigsaw puzzles. A Convergent earthquake is when the tectonic plates move over one another this is how hills and mountains are formed. The second type is a divergent earthquake,and this is how oceans and rivers are formed. The third type of earthquake is called a transform and it is a slip. During an earthquake liquefaction occurs. Liquefaction is when soil is loosen up during an earthquake When the tectonic plates move it and creates a space between them and water comes up when the water meets Solid dirt it turns into mud. In canterbury we had more liquefaction than would have been expected because of combinations of factors one canterbury is built predominantly on sand and two is because we are surrounded by rivers and oceans and three is because our water table is really high and we have a high annual rainfall. A seismograph tells you how big an earthquake is. The bigger the number the more destruction the earthquake causes a magnitude 4 earthquake could shake your house but some people might not even notice. A magnitude 9 earthquake flattens whole cities and causes a large amount of damage. In conclusion an earthquake is when tectonic plates move against each other wich causes the ground to shake and roll. There are three different types of a convergent earthquake a divergent earthquake and a transform. During an earthquake liquefaction sometimes occurs. A seismograph measures earthquakes on a scale 1 to 9.