earthquake categories
Great earthquake. Can totally destroy communities near the epicenter
8.0 or greater
3 -3.9 is classified as
Minor
How many 2.5 or less each year?
900,000
When two plates come together
convergent boundary
May cause a lot of damage in very populated areas
6.1 to 6.9
| 4 - 4.9 is classified as |
Light
How many 8.0 or greater each year ?
One every 5 to 10 years
two tectonic plates move away from each other. Along these boundaries, lava spews from long fissures and geysers spurt superheated water
divergent boundary
Often felt, but only causes minor damage.
2.5 to 5.4
6 - 6.9 is classified as
Strong
How many 6.1 to 6.9 each year ?
100
Two plates sliding past each other forms a ?
transform plate boundary
Usually not felt, but can be recorded by seismograph
2.5 or less
8 or more is classified as
Great
How many 2.5 to 5.4 each year ?
30,000
The impact of the two colliding plates buckles the edge of one or both plates up into a rugged mountain range, and sometimes bends the other down into a deep seafloor trench.
convergent boundary
Slight damage to buildings and other structures
5.5 to 6.0
7 - 7.9 is classified as
Major
How many 5.5 to 6.0 each year ?
500
What occurs when two tectonic plates move away from each other.
divergent boundary