Search results
Results From The WOW.Com Content Network
The earthquake cycle refers to the phenomenon that earthquakes repeatedly occur on the same fault as the result of continual stress accumulation and periodic stress release. [ 1 ] [ 2 ] Earthquake cycles can occur on a variety of faults including subduction zones and continental faults.
In its most general sense, the word earthquake is used to describe any seismic event that generates seismic waves. Earthquakes can occur naturally or be induced by human activities, such as mining, fracking, and nuclear tests. The initial point of rupture is called the hypocenter or focus, while the ground level directly above it is the epicenter.
Strong earthquakes can occur along a fault. The San Andreas Fault in California is an example of a transform boundary exhibiting dextral motion. Other plate boundary zones occur where the effects of the interactions are unclear, and the boundaries, usually occurring along a broad belt, are not well defined and may show various types of ...
Movement of tectonic plates against each other sends seismic waves rippling across earth’s surface
Earthquakes are common along convergent boundaries. A region of high earthquake activity, the Wadati–Benioff zone, generally dips 45° and marks the subducting plate. Earthquakes will occur to a depth of 670 km (416 mi) along the Wadati-Benioff margin. [citation needed] Both compressional and extensional forces act along convergent boundaries.
Diagram of Wadati–Benioff zone, from the United States Geological Survey Seismicity cross-section, Kuril Islands subduction zone, 15 November 2006, 8.3 M w event marked as star A Wadati–Benioff zone (also Benioff–Wadati zone or Benioff zone or Benioff seismic zone ) is a planar zone of seismicity corresponding with the down-going slab in ...
Induced seismicity, typically minor earthquakes and tremors that are caused by human activity that alters the stresses and strains on the Earth's crust. [10] Interplate earthquake, an earthquake that occurs at the boundary between tectonic plates. [11] Intraplate earthquake, an earthquake that occurs within the interior of a tectonic plate. [12 ...
An interplate earthquake occurs at the boundary between two tectonic plates. Earthquakes of this type account for more than 90 percent of the total seismic energy released around the world. [1] If one plate is trying to move past the other, they will be locked until sufficient stress builds up to cause the plates to slip relative to each other.