Earthquakes are the shaking and moving of the ground when energy is released in waves. These waves are called seismic waves. These waves are similar to ocean waves, which move through water. However, seismic waves move through the ground. Most earthquakes are caused by the movement of large sections of the Earth’s crust, called plates. The place where two plates meet is called a fault. Faults look like large cracks in the ground. If the two plates move in different directions, they build up energy at the fault line. When enough energy builds up, the stress on the fault becomes too great and it ruptures. This releases the energy and the ground starts to shake.

       Earthquakes can also be caused by other natural events, such as landslides and volcanoes. The first movement of an earthquake, called the main shock, is often followed by smaller ground trembles, called aftershocks. These aftershocks signal that the plates are settling into their new positions. After the main shock, aftershocks can continue for days. According to some estimates, 500,000 earthquakes occur each year around the world. Most are very mild and are only recorded on scientific instruments. Only about 100,000 can be felt by humans. Among these, only about 19 cause major damage in a year.       Major earthquakes in populated areas can cause huge destruction. Buildings collapse, roads and bridges buckle and crack, and electrical and gas lines break and cause fires. If an earthquake happens in the ocean, it makes a series of huge ocean waves called a tsunami. A tsunami travels until it finally reaches land, where it causes large flooding. Scientists are searching for ways to predict earthquakes. They study the historical patterns of earthquakes and monitor the movement of the plates with seismic equipment. While they cannot predict an exact date of a future earthquake, they have a better understanding of when earthquakes are more likely to happen.