Tectonic Plates
These large pieces of Earth’s crust move slowly and interact at boundaries.
What is tectonic plates?
The center of a hurricane where winds are calm.
What is the eye?
After a hurricane, tornado, or earthquake, many people may lose this basic need because power lines are damaged.
What is electricity?
Cause: Plates suddenly shift. Effect: This shaking hazard occurs.
What is an earthquake?
When snow rapidly slides downhill due to gravity, it creates this cold and dangerous hazard.
What is an avalanche?
Earthquakes most often occur at these places where plates meet.
What is a tectonic plate boundary?
A scientist who studies earthquakes is called this.
What is a seismetologist?
Loss of crops during drought can cause this major human problems related to food.
What is hunger?
Cause: Hurricanes push ocean water onto land. Effect: This dangerous water rise affects coastal
What is a storm surge?
This spinning storm forms over warm ocean water and can cause storm surge and flooding.
What is a hurricane?
These underwater eruptions can create islands like Hawaii.
What is volcanoes?
The point on Earth’s surface directly above where an earthquake starts.
What is the epicenter?
After large earthquakes or tsunamis, governments may need to do this to move people to a safer location.
What is an evacuation?
Cause: An undersea earthquake displaces water. Effect: This giant ocean wave can reach shorelines.
What is a tsunami?
A rotating column of air touching both the cloud and the ground is this violent hazard.
What is a tornado?
A sudden release of energy when rocks inside Earth’s crust break causes this hazard.
What is an earthquake?
Being ready before a hazard happens.
What is called being prepared?
These small shelters are built in some homes to keep people safe from tornadoes.
What are storm shelters?
Cause: Heat from below Earth’s surface builds pressure. Effect: This hazard can spew lava and ash.
What is an eruption?
This slow, long-lasting lack of rainfall can damage crops and ecosystems.
A deep break in Earth's crust, from two plates rubbing together, where earthquakes are liable to happen.
What is a fault line?
A powerful thunderstorm that can produce tornadoes.
What is a supercell?
Communities often build these raised structures along rivers to prevent flooding.
What is a levee?
Cause: Little precipitation over a long time. Effect: Soil dries up, crops fail, and wildfires increase during this hazard.
What is a drought?
Heavy rainfall or rapid snowmelt can cause this overflow of water onto normally dry land.
What is flooding?