Bailey James Bruce Kenney Geography 1700 11 Mar.

2014 Earthquakes One of the most frightening and destructive phenomena of nature is a severe earthquake and its terrible after effects. An earthquake is the sudden, rapid shaking of the earth, caused by the breaking and shifting of rock as it releases strain that has accumulated over time. An earthquake is a natural occurrence. Over the course of geological time, earthquakes and other natural events have helped to shape the surface of our planet. An earthquake may only last a few seconds, but the processes that cause earthquakes have operated within the Earth for millions and millions or years. The major region of occurring earthquakes lies on the what is known as the Ring of Fire. Stretching 25,000 miles along the Pacific Ocean, the Ring of Fire is a result of plate tectonics. The edges of these tectonic plates have formed sites of seismic activity seen as a convergent boundary, a divergent boundary, or a transform boundary. Scientists around the globe continue to analyze these unstable earthquake zones in the hopes to someday predict when the next destructive quake will occur. On Tuesday April 1, 2014, an earthquake struck 95 km Northwest of Iquique, Chile with a magnitude 8.2 at 6:46 P.M at a depth of 20.1 km. This oceanic to continent plat boundary marks the subducting Nasca (Pacific) plate and the South American plate. The oceanic crust of the Nasca plate begin their decent into the mantle beneath the coastline of South America. This fault line is responsible for the uplift of the Andes mountains and although the rate of the subduction varies, there are complex changes in the geologic formation that dramatically influence volcano activity, crustal deformation, earthquake generation and occurrence all along the western edges of South America. In this instance, Iquique, Chile was exposed to the released tension of South Americas plate, causing a powerful earthquake to hit the shores. On Sunday March 23, 2014 an earthquake struck near the island of Fiji with a magnitude of 5.0 at 8:04 A.M. local time and at a depth of 533.4 km. This earthquake occurred on an oceanic-to-oceanic boundary. The earthquake occurred along this boundary because the two oceanic crusts were pushing against each other until one plate was forced under the other. The eastern margin of the Australia plate is one of the most seismically active areas of the world due to high rates of convergence between the Australia and Pacific plates.

On Monday March 21, 2014 an earthquake struck near South of Ashkasham, Afghanistan with a magnitude of 4.5 at 9:49 A.M. local time and at a depth of 94.9 km. The earthquake occurred at a continent-to-continent boundary. The earthquake occurred along this line because Afghanistan is on a plate continental plate that is being pushed by another continental plate. Seismicity in the Himalaya dominantly results from the continental collision of the India and Eurasia plates, which are converging at a relative rate of 40-50 mm/yr. Northward underthrusting of India beneath Eurasia generates numerous earthquakes and consequently makes this area one of the most seismically hazardous regions on Earth.

On Tuesday April 1, 2014 and earthquake struck just Southern Mid-Atlantic Ridge. The magnitude was 5.3 and hit at 10:13 P.M. local time, the depth was 10.0 km. The earthquake occurred along a divergent fault line, which is when two plates are pulling apart from each other. When the gap eventually widens, it then evolves into a rift valley. The Mid-Atlantic Ridge runs beneath Iceland and as the North American Plate moves westward while the Eurasian Plate moves eastward.

On Saturday March 28, 2014 and earthquake struck 2 km East of La Habra, California with a magnitude of 5.1 at 9:09 P.M. local time and at a depth of 4.8 km. The type of earthquake occurred on the San Andreas fault line, which stretches 800 miles down all through California. Its considered one of the most dangerous geological feature on Earth. This transform boundary, which is a boundary that slides horizontally, develops tension as the West section of the fault moves North when the East side slides South. Eventually releasing the energy and causing a major shift underground or an Earthquake.

Reflection This class has really opened my eyes to the nature of Earths geographic beauty and also its destructive tendencies. Ive learned about numerous natural disasters that continue to happen all over the world, some that can be avoided, while others come with no warning at all. Over the last century, the evolution of technology has helped scientists accumulate extensive amounts of data to greater our understanding on how the earth functions and what causes these disasters to strike. The concept of plate tectonics is a major reason to why earthquakes happen. The plates are driven by heat and friction from the earth's core. When they make contact at faults, energy is released in the form of seismic waves, or earthquakes. If earthquakes did not happen the earth would be a cold dead place, much like the Moon. These natural occurrences under the crust are imperative to current and ever changing landscape and life on earth. Much of the tectonic activity happens around the Ring of Fire due to the subduction of the Pacific plate. Depending upon the boundaries, the frequency and magnitude of the earthquakes can dramatically change. And with great applications like Google Earth, we have the ability to identify these geological phenomenas on a more precise level. Before this class I knew that earthquakes happened occasionally, but I was surprised by the sheer number of earthquakes that came up when I was doing this assignment. One thing I found interesting was that Google Earth showed earthquakes that had occurred within the past few hours. It made me realize how frequent earthquakes occur and the millions of people all around the world who are regularly affected by the shifting of these plates. As a result of this class, I have a better understanding of why these events happen, and also how they are significant in many areas around the world. Through the graphic videos shown throughout the semester, Ive witnessed the immense power of these disasters and how systematic preparation can mean the difference between life and death, even in our own backyard. I always knew that there was the Wasatch fault line here but I was oblivious to the fact that even in Utah we are susceptible to earthquakes. Now after gaining further knowledge and understanding on todays potential earthquake threat, I have taken action by informing family and friends of the danger and also ways to properly prepare before the disaster strikes. This class was very informative and extremely useful. Mother nature is not slowing down, in fact some scientists believe the change of weather patterns in our atmosphere are causing these disasters to develop more frequently and with even more destruction then in past occurrences. I would recommend everyone to take this class or at least research the subject to better prepare and even save millions of people from falling directing in the heart of these unstoppable events of nature without a plan of action.