Natural Disaster: Earthquake — Passage and Quiz

Earthquakes are powerful natural events that shake the Earth's surface. They happen when huge rocks underground suddenly move or break. These rocks are part of the Earth's crust, which is made up of large pieces called tectonic plates. When these plates push against each other or slide past one another, they can cause the ground to shake.

Earthquakes come in different strengths and have various effects. Some earthquakes are so small that people can't even feel them. Others are so strong that they can knock down buildings and create giant waves in the ocean called tsunamis. Scientists use a special tool called a seismograph to measure how strong an earthquake is. They rate earthquakes on a scale from 1 to 10, with 10 being the most powerful.

People who live in areas where earthquakes often happen have learned ways to stay safe. Buildings in these places are made stronger to withstand shaking. People are taught what to do during an earthquake, like taking cover under a sturdy table or standing in a doorway. It's important to have emergency kits with food, water, and first-aid supplies ready.

Earthquakes can cause a lot of damage, but they can also change the Earth in interesting ways. They can create new mountains, valleys, and even islands. Scientists study earthquakes to learn more about our planet and how it works. By understanding earthquakes better, we can help keep people safe and be ready when the ground starts to shake.

The more we know about earthquakes, the better prepared we can be. While we can't stop earthquakes from happening, we can learn to live with them safely. Every earthquake teaches us something new about our amazing planet Earth.