Shattering Earthquakes

By Louise Spilsbury and Richard Spilsbury

Scientists estimate that each year there are several million earthquakes throughout the world. Some are so small that they are never detected. Others are so large that they set off a chain of aftershocks and tsunamis. Read about these terrifying events to learn what causes them and how scientists detect them.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Capstone Young Readers
• Release date: Jul 15, 2021
• ISBN: 9781484666135

Louise Spilsbury

Louise Spilsbury is an experienced author of nonfiction books for young people. Her writing covers a wide range of topics from animals and science to history and social studies.

Book preview

Awesome Forces of Nature: Shattering Earthquakes by Louise and Richard Spilsbury

Contents

Cover

Title Page

What Is an Earthquake?

What Causes Earthquakes?

Where Do Earthquakes Happen?

What Happens in an Earthquake?

Do Earthquakes Cause Other Disasters?

Who Helps After an Earthquake?

Can Earthquakes Be Predicted?

Can People Prepare for Earthquakes?

Glossary

Find Out More

Index

Copyright

Back Cover

Cover

Title Page

Contents

Start of Content

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back cover

What Is an Earthquake?

Imagine you are reading at a table. You notice that the clock and your glass are beginning to wobble. Then you hear a rumbling sound, like an airplane flying above the house. Objects in the room rattle and shake more and more. Then, suddenly, your whole room jerks, knocking things off the table and pictures off the walls.

This is how it can feel in an earthquake. An earthquake is when the surface of the Earth moves. The ground under our feet usually feels solid, but during an earthquake it shakes, cracks open, and dips. Most earthquakes are very small and people may only feel a slight trembling under their feet. Others can make cracks in walls and jolt books off shelves. The worst earthquakes in the world cause terrible destruction.

A Chinese city with damaged buildings and roads strewn with debris.

The earthquake on May 12, 2008, in