ALL ABOUT EARTHQUAKES

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PLATES AND TREMBLES?

• ALL ABOUT EARTHQUAKES!

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Contents

• What are earthquakes?
• Major earthquakes in New Zealand
• Preparing for an earthquake

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What are earthquakes?
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earthquakes Push the back button to return to the
slides!

• The trembles that we feel are caused by
  movements under the earths surface. Under the
  earth there are plates which are moving all the
  time, but not enough for us to feel. Sometimes
  when these plates are moving against each other
  there is too much pressure, causing a tremor we
  feel as an earthquake.

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Major earthquakes in the past
RICHTER SCALE 1.0 - 4.0 (Weak earthquake) Minor
or no damage.  5.0 - 6.0 (Moderate
earthquake) Moderate to severe damage  6.0 and
above (Strong earthquake) Severe to widespread
destruction

• Throughout history there have have been many big
  earthquakes. Scientists use the Richter Scale to
  describe the force and the damage that an
  earthquake causes.

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Earthquakes in New Zealand

• There have been many large earthquakes in New
  Zealand. The strongest earthquake recorded was
  in Wairarapa in 1929. It measured 8.1 on the
  Richter Scale. In 1931, the Hawke's Bay
  earthquake caused 161 deaths and a great amount
  of damage.
• There are on average about 14,000 earthquakes a
  year in New Zealand but we only feel about 100
  150!

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Preparing for an earthquake

• It is important to make sure that you are ready
  in case an earthquake occurs.
• You need to assemble a kit to ensure that you
  have enough food, water, torches and emergency
  clothes if disaster strikes.
• To make your house as safe as possible ensure
  your heavy items are secured.

Making a B-Ready kit
What to do in an earthquake
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Picture of tectonic plates