Earthquakes 101 | National Geographic

National Geographic2 minutes read

The Earth's crust consists of 12 major tectonic plates that shift due to superheated magma, causing earthquakes. The most destructive earthquakes occur in subduction zones, leading to seismic shock waves and tsunamis, causing widespread casualties.

Insights

  • The Earth's crust consists of 12 tectonic plates moving due to magma, leading to earthquakes at plate boundaries.
  • Subduction zones see the most violent earthquakes, with one plate forced beneath another causing destructive shock waves and tsunamis, resulting in global casualties.

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Recent questions

  • What causes earthquakes?

    Tectonic plate movements due to magma shifts.

  • Where do the most violent earthquakes occur?

    Subduction zones where plates collide.

  • How many major tectonic plates are there?

    12 plates make up Earth's crust.

  • What can earthquakes trigger?

    Tsunamis and destructive seismic shock waves.

  • Why do tectonic plates shift?

    Due to superheated magma beneath Earth's crust.

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Summary

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Tectonic Plates Shift, Earthquakes Devastate World

  • The Earth's crust is composed of 12 major tectonic plates that constantly shift against each other due to the superheated magma beneath them, causing earthquakes along the plate boundaries.
  • Earthquakes can be devastating, with the most violent type occurring in subduction zones where one tectonic plate is forced beneath another, leading to destructive seismic shock waves and potentially triggering tsunamis, resulting in significant casualties worldwide.
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