Earthquakes and Seismology

What this unit covers

The page brings together material on how earthquakes happen, how they are measured and what they do. The mind map Earthquakes starts with forces in Earth's crust: tension, compression and shearing, then normal, reverse and strike-slip faults and how they change the surface. Other maps cover seismic waves, the factors that affect the impact of earthquakes, and cause and measurement.

Case studies

Many listed resources are case studies, which suits GCSE Geography revision. You will find maps on the Nepal earthquake, with key facts, causes, effects and responses. There are also maps on L'Aquila, Kobe, Northridge, Haiti, Sendai and the Sichuan earthquake, plus the New Zealand case study. The Indian Ocean tsunami of 2004 and a flowchart on the stages of a tsunami sit alongside them.

Where to start

1. Open the Earthquakes mind map to see faults and stress laid out on one page.
2. Move to the seismic wave maps and the notes on measuring and detecting earthquakes.
3. Pick one case study map, such as Nepal, and note causes, effects and responses.
4. Test yourself with the quiz Earthquakes: True or false? or the quiz on seismic waves.

Using quizzes and maps together

Read a map first, then take a quiz on the same idea. If a question on P-waves or S-waves catches you out, go back to the map and look at that branch again. Flashcard decks on magnitude and intensity, or on comparing richer and poorer countries, are handy for quick repeat practice. Teachers can set a map as a starting point and a quiz as a check.

Where it fits

This unit sits in the strand Plate Tectonics and Internal Processes, within Geology and earth sciences. Choose a resource that matches what you are studying and try it today.