Lithosphere

Hazard: Earthquake

Earthquake in Nevada (Local Scale)

Caption:
In the United States, Nevada ranks in the top three states subject to the most large
earthquakes over the last 150 years (clarkcountynv.gov). Because of Nevadas
geologically young faults, earthquakes happen frequently in the region. Earthquakes of
magnitude three to four are very common among the area with thousands of micro-
earthquakes take in place every year and cause little damage. However, from time to
time, larger earthquakes occur. Even though there is no definite time interval, on
average, earthquakes of magnitude of six or more occur every ten years, and of
magnitude of seven or more occur every twenty-seven years. Nevada is one of the
most seismically active regions since it lies within the Basin and Range Province, a
region that is extending and squeezing actively. Based on the map, earthquakes happen
most frequently in Western Nevada because tectonic rates are highest in this area. Due
to frequent earthquakes, Nevada people should be prepared by learning knowledge
about earthquakes, having drills, and building lower houses to calmly face earthquakes
and decrease damage.

Earthquake in the United States (Regional Scale)

Caption:
The map shows a pattern that earthquakes seem to occur along the west coast in the
United States. One reason of such phenomenon is that these regions locate at the
boundary of Pacific Plate and North America Plate. As these two plates move around,
the friction between the plates causes stress (conservation.ca.gov), which in turn
releasing energy to the ground and leading to earthquakes. How we prepare for such
frequently-occur earthquakes? City-planners tend to build low houses and houses
addressed special earthquake needs in these areas. In addition, technologists are
exploring more ways of better forecast the date and strength of earthquakes.

Earthquake around The Earth (Global Scale)

Caption:
The distribution of the earthquakes seems to tell a pattern that earthquakes happen
along the coasts of the Pacific Ocean, Eastern Asia and Southern Europe. Based on the
Earth Plates map, however, we can see most earthquakes occur along the borders of
plates. The reason of such pattern is that plates move around, bumping into each other,
pulling away from each other, or past each other (geo.mtu.edu). The friction between
plates creates energy and thus creates earthquakes. Therefore, earthquakes occur along
the Pacific Ocean because they are in the boundary of the Pacific Plate. One reason
earthquakes frequently occur in Southern Europe is that the region is in the border
among Indian Plate, Arabian Plate, Eurasian Plate and African Plate. Another reason is
that this region has abundant active faults, which are cracks in the Earth where
sections of a plate (or two plates) are moving in different directions (geo.mtu.edu).
Earthquakes occur along faults as well. In order to prepare major earthquakes, local
government should prepare emergency supplies such as tent, food and clothing.
Government should also teach people how to protect themselves in an earthquake by
publishing emergency pamphlet and planning drills.

Sources
http://www.clarkcountynv.gov/building/engineering/Pages/EarthquakeInformation.a
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http://www.conservation.ca.gov/index/Earthquakes
http://www.geo.mtu.edu/UPSeis/where.html
http://mapmaker.nationalgeographic.org/#/