Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • BBC Science Focus Magazine

    WHY CAN’T WE PREDICT EARTHQUAKES?

    Apr 08, 2020 3 minutes

    WHAT CAUSES AN EARTHQUAKE?

    As the Earth’s tectonic plates push and pull each other, they generate strain that accumulates on lines of weakness in the crust known as faults. When this strain reaches a critical level, a fault will break and the rock masses on either side scrape past one another, releasing a huge amount of energy that causes the ground to shake. Every year, there are more than three million earthquakes; California alone experiences more than 10,000.

    You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

    More from BBC Science Focus Magazine

    BBC Science Focus Magazine1 min read
    Does Cold Weather Cause The Common Cold?
    “You need to wrap up or you'll catch a cold!” Most people have probably heard some variation of that parental plea while growing up, or have even given such advice to their own children. But contrary to popular belief, cold weather itself does not di
    BBC Science Focus Magazine3 min read
    How A Solar Eclipse Opened A New Window Onto The Universe
    On 8 April 2024, a slice of land across North America was treated to the rare and wondrous sight of a total solar eclipse. The awe-inspiring event saw the Sun completely blotted out by a perfectly positioned Moon, temporarily turning day into night.
    BBC Science Focus Magazine3 min read
    Why Older Women Face A Greater Risk Of Broken Bones
    The world's population is undergoing an enormous shift because the average person is living longer. According to the World Health Organization, in 2020 there were more people aged 60 and over, than there were children under five. In the UK, there are

    Related Books & Audiobooks