A Discussion On Earthquakes

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possibly be prevented, it is
essential that the process and formation of and earthquake be understood.
Earthquakes are caused when the earth's crustal plates move, rub, or push
against each other. The earth's crust (the outer layer of the earth) is made up
of seven major plates and approximately thirteen smaller ones. The name plate
is used to describe these portions of the earth's crust because they are
literally �plates� or sections, composed of dirt and rock. These plates float
on molten lava, called magma. Since the plates are floating on magma, they can
slowly move. The place where friction occurs between plates is called a fault.
A fault is a crack in a plate or a place where two or more plates meet. An
example of a fault where two plates meet is the San Andrea's fault in California,
where the Pacific and North American plates meet. The plates are about 30
miles thick under land and can be one to five miles thick beneath the ocean.
The plates move because of ...

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