Why Earthquakes Happen Essay

Introduction

About 15 kilometers underground there are lots of rocks, and pressure makes the rocks move all the time. When there is little pressure, they go back to their place, but when the pressure is too strong, the rocks break. That is the earthquake itself – the earth’s natural way of releasing stress. Earthquake has become one of the most unpredictable and terrifying occurrences on earth. Pieces of the earth’s crust are moving at an average of about four centimeters every year! Unfortunately, this movement is not slow and continuous, but occurs in bursts, which results in earthquakes. Luckily, one of the hundreds of thousands of earthquakes happening every year are so weak that people do not even feel them. According to IOP Institute of Physics, “almost all earthquakes are confined to tectonic plate boundaries, but predicting individual quakes remain almost impossible” (physics.org).

Anyone who has been in an earthquake has felt that it was one of the scariest and most disturbing experiences of their life. This sudden, rapid shaking of the earth is caused by shifting and breaking of rock deep underground. Sometimes it is a massive impact, the sound of tremors violently rocking houses, and throwing things and objects around like toys. Earthquake causes serious structural damage destroying everything around. According to earthquake’s statistics, these natural disasters are sometimes believed to be a West Coast phenomenon, but there are actually 45 States and regions throughout the United States that are at moderate to high risk of experiencing earthquakes (New Hampshire Government website, 2014).

Just like enormous puzzle, the outer layer of the earth’s crust consists of numerous pieces, known as tectonic plates, and natural disasters like earthquakes happen when energy is released as these plates slip past one another (physics.org). Researchers of IOP Institute of Physics state that the result may be anything from “an imperceptible tremor to a full blown earthquake, depending on the amount of energy released”. According NH Government (2014), earthquakes themselves rarely cause death or injury, as most injuries or deaths occur by falling objects or when buildings collapse. Thus, it is crucially important to prepare for this natural disaster making plans for what people should do in the event of another quake.     Earthquakes are sudden and unpredictable, so it is important to be well-informed about actions before, during and after the quake. It is necessary to keep patience, as panic actions lead to negative results like injury or even death. Often people compare an earthquake with something similar to being in aviation catastrophe, thus it is very difficult to make your fear less intense especially when you are trapped for hours with injuries to your legs, ribs, or collar-bone. People should know safe areas in their houses as well as the potential hazards that might exist around. However for many, it is difficult to get rid of the terror of experiencing an earthquake, which leads to “post-earthquake trauma”. Thus, immediately after the earthquake people should go out and talk to their neighbors, children and friends, as this is the first step in realizing we are not alone.

Conclusion 

Earthquake is a sudden unwelcome phenomenon for everyone on earth, causing serious structural damage and destroying everything around. Pieces of the earth’s crust are moving at an average of about four centimeters every year, which later occurs in bursts and results in earthquakes. Almost all earthquakes are confined to tectonic plate boundaries, but predicting individual disasters remain almost impossible. Thus, we should be well-informed about proper actions during the quake. After doing research, I have realized that any disaster provides an opportunity to review our national interests and priorities. Every human being should remember that an earthquake is a uniting factor, which teaches us how to cooperate, participate, and support…  

Works Cited:

Hassan, M. “Earthquake”. ReadyNH.gov. An official New Hampshire Government website, 2014. Web 27 February 2016 http://www.readynh.gov/disasters/earthquake.htm>

“Why Do Earthquakes Happen?” Physics Org. IOP Institute of Physics.Web 27 February 2016. <http://www.physics.org/article-questions.asp?id=50>

The terms offer and acceptance. (2016, May 17). Retrieved from

[Accessed: March 28, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016.

[Accessed: March 28, 2024]

freeessays.club (2016) The terms offer and acceptance [Online].
Available at:

[Accessed: March 28, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 28, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 28, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 28, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 28, 2024]
close
Haven't found the right essay?
Get an expert to write you the one you need!
print

Professional writers and researchers

quotes

Sources and citation are provided

clock

3 hour delivery

person