Hi My Name is Shaky!

Sometimes the ground moves and shakes. That is called an earthquake!

What is an earthquake?

What happens during an earthquake?

The ground can wiggle, buildings can shake, and things might fall. This happens because the Earth is made of big pieces called plates that move

What Causes Earthquakes?

The Earth's plates push and pull on each other. When they suddenly slip, it makes a shake! This crack in the ground is called a fault

Where Do Earthquakes Start?

Earthquakes begin underground at a place called the focus. The spot right above it on the surface is called the epicenter

How Does The Shaking Move?

The shaking moves in waves called seismic waves. There are fast waves called P waves and slower ones called S waves.

How Do Scientists Know?

Scientists use a tool called a seismograph. It records the shaking and makes a line drawing called a seismogram.