Geographical Processes- What causes an Earthquake? & What are the Effects?
Our earth’s
crust is broken up into pieces called Tectonic Plates. These plates are
constantly moving towards, away from and past each other. Our continents are a
part of these plates too, meaning they’re also moving. The result of this is earthquakes-
which are caused when the rocks break and move as a result of stresses built up
in the plates. When this stress is released, this is what causes earthquakes. When this happens it can cause great
destruction – damage to buildings, roads, houses etc and even death. Most
earthquakes occur on the edge of the plates. Although, earthquakes aren’t the
only thing affecting the earth from moving plates; volcanoes, mountain ranges, tsunamis
and more are also made by the constant moving of the Tectonic Plates.
Although, Australia is in the middle of these plates, so its earthquakes work differently. Australia’s earthquakes are caused by the movement (7cm per year) of the Indo-Australian Plate, which is at the centre of where the continent lies. It collides with the Eurasian, Philippine and Pacific plates causing a build up of stress in the 25km thick crust. This is what causes earthquakes in Australia when the pressure is released.
In fact, the 1989, Newcastle earthquake was caused by these natural geographical processes. Although originally was thought to have been trigged by the 200+ years of coal mining in the area, but speculations were put to rest many years afterwards, as the earthquake came from too far underground, for mining to be at fault. This earthquake has affected Newcastle, from the time it hit and still today.
*Below: Diagram of all the tectonic plates
Although, Australia is in the middle of these plates, so its earthquakes work differently. Australia’s earthquakes are caused by the movement (7cm per year) of the Indo-Australian Plate, which is at the centre of where the continent lies. It collides with the Eurasian, Philippine and Pacific plates causing a build up of stress in the 25km thick crust. This is what causes earthquakes in Australia when the pressure is released.
In fact, the 1989, Newcastle earthquake was caused by these natural geographical processes. Although originally was thought to have been trigged by the 200+ years of coal mining in the area, but speculations were put to rest many years afterwards, as the earthquake came from too far underground, for mining to be at fault. This earthquake has affected Newcastle, from the time it hit and still today.
*Below: Diagram of all the tectonic plates