narrative essay about earthquake

Narrative Essay on Earthquake

In the heart of a serene morning, the earth beneath us trembled, unleashing a formidable force that reshaped not only the landscape but the lives entwined with it. This narrative essay delves into the profound impact of an earthquake, exploring the emotional, physical, and psychological dimensions of this natural disaster. Through the lens of those who experienced it firsthand, we embark on a journey to understand the might of nature and the resilience of the human spirit.

The Prelude

It was a day like any other in the bustling city of Ridgefield. People went about their daily routines, unaware of the dramatic turn their lives were about to take. I was in the school library, engrossed in a book, when the first tremor struck. A subtle vibration, barely noticeable, but it was the silence that followed which was eerily foreboding. Within moments, the tranquility was shattered by a roaring sound beneath us, as if the earth had opened its mouth to speak.

The initial mild shaking quickly escalated into violent jolts. Books tumbled from shelves, windows shattered, and screams filled the air. Panic ensued as everyone scrambled for safety, the ground beneath us betraying our trust with every passing second. The school building, which once seemed indestructible, groaned under the strain, cracks spiderwebbing across its façade.

Outside, the scene was chaotic. Roads cracked open as if the earth was gasping for breath, buildings leaned precariously, and power lines sparked in a deadly dance. The air was thick with dust, obscuring the sun and casting a pall over the city. It was a scene from a nightmare, yet it was all too real.

The Aftermath

As the shaking subsided, the full extent of the devastation became apparent. The city lay in ruins, a stark testament to the earthquake’s fury. Buildings that had stood for decades were reduced to rubble, streets were impassable, and the once vibrant community was enveloped in a somber silence.

In the days that followed, the resilience of the human spirit shone brightly. Neighbors helped neighbors, strangers became friends, and the community united in the face of adversity. Relief efforts were organized, shelters provided solace to those who had lost everything, and the sounds of construction filled the air as the city began the slow process of rebuilding.

The Emotional Toll

Beyond the physical destruction, the earthquake left deep emotional scars. The loss of homes, possessions, and, most tragically, loved ones, weighed heavily on the hearts of the survivors. Fear lingered in the aftershocks, a constant reminder of our vulnerability in the face of nature’s might.

Yet, amidst the sorrow, there was also hope. Stories of heroism and bravery emerged, of people risking their lives to save others, of communities coming together to heal and rebuild. These stories served as a beacon of light in the darkest of times, a reminder that even in the face of overwhelming adversity, humanity’s capacity for compassion and resilience endures.

Lessons Learned

The earthquake taught us valuable lessons about preparedness, community, and the importance of building structures that can withstand the forces of nature. It highlighted the need for emergency plans, for education on how to respond in the face of disaster, and for a commitment to supporting one another.

It also reminded us of the importance of cherishing every moment, of not taking for granted the people and places we hold dear. In the aftermath of destruction, we were reminded of what truly matters – the connections we share with those around us.

The earthquake was a defining moment, a test of our strength and our ability to come together in the face of adversity. It reshaped our city, but more importantly, it reshaped us. We emerged stronger, more united, with a deeper appreciation for the fragile beauty of life.

As we rebuild, we carry with us the memories of that fateful day, a reminder of nature’s power and our own resilience. The earthquake may have shaken the foundations of our city, but it also laid the groundwork for a new beginning, built on the lessons learned and the unbreakable spirit of our community. In the face of nature’s might, we stand united, a testament to the enduring power of the human spirit.

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Earthquake Essay for Students and Children

500+ Words Essay on Earthquake

Simply speaking, Earthquake means the shaking of the Earth’s surface. It is a sudden trembling of the surface of the Earth. Earthquakes certainly are a terrible natural disaster. Furthermore, Earthquakes can cause huge damage to life and property. Some Earthquakes are weak in nature and probably go unnoticed. In contrast, some Earthquakes are major and violent. The major Earthquakes are almost always devastating in nature. Most noteworthy, the occurrence of an Earthquake is quite unpredictable. This is what makes them so dangerous.

Types of Earthquake

Tectonic Earthquake: The Earth’s crust comprises of the slab of rocks of uneven shapes. These slab of rocks are tectonic plates. Furthermore, there is energy stored here. This energy causes tectonic plates to push away from each other or towards each other. As time passes, the energy and movement build up pressure between two plates.

Therefore, this enormous pressure causes the fault line to form. Also, the center point of this disturbance is the focus of the Earthquake. Consequently, waves of energy travel from focus to the surface. This results in shaking of the surface.

Volcanic Earthquake: This Earthquake is related to volcanic activity. Above all, the magnitude of such Earthquakes is weak. These Earthquakes are of two types. The first type is Volcano-tectonic earthquake. Here tremors occur due to injection or withdrawal of Magma. In contrast, the second type is Long-period earthquake. Here Earthquake occurs due to the pressure changes among the Earth’s layers.

Collapse Earthquake: These Earthquakes occur in the caverns and mines. Furthermore, these Earthquakes are of weak magnitude. Undergrounds blasts are probably the cause of collapsing of mines. Above all, this collapsing of mines causes seismic waves. Consequently, these seismic waves cause an Earthquake.

Explosive Earthquake: These Earthquakes almost always occur due to the testing of nuclear weapons. When a nuclear weapon detonates, a big blast occurs. This results in the release of a huge amount of energy. This probably results in Earthquakes.

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Effects of Earthquakes

First of all, the shaking of the ground is the most notable effect of the Earthquake. Furthermore, ground rupture also occurs along with shaking. This results in severe damage to infrastructure facilities. The severity of the Earthquake depends upon the magnitude and distance from the epicenter. Also, the local geographical conditions play a role in determining the severity. Ground rupture refers to the visible breaking of the Earth’s surface.

Another significant effect of Earthquake is landslides. Landslides occur due to slope instability. This slope instability happens because of Earthquake.

Earthquakes can cause soil liquefaction. This happens when water-saturated granular material loses its strength. Therefore, it transforms from solid to a liquid. Consequently, rigid structures sink into the liquefied deposits.

Earthquakes can result in fires. This happens because Earthquake damages the electric power and gas lines. Above all, it becomes extremely difficult to stop a fire once it begins.

Earthquakes can also create the infamous Tsunamis. Tsunamis are long-wavelength sea waves. These sea waves are caused by the sudden or abrupt movement of large volumes of water. This is because of an Earthquake in the ocean. Above all, Tsunamis can travel at a speed of 600-800 kilometers per hour. These tsunamis can cause massive destruction when they hit the sea coast.

In conclusion, an Earthquake is a great and terrifying phenomenon of Earth. It shows the frailty of humans against nature. It is a tremendous occurrence that certainly shocks everyone. Above all, Earthquake lasts only for a few seconds but can cause unimaginable damage.

FAQs on Earthquake

Q1 Why does an explosive Earthquake occurs?

A1 An explosive Earthquake occurs due to the testing of nuclear weapons.

Q2 Why do landslides occur because of Earthquake?

A2 Landslides happen due to slope instability. Most noteworthy, this slope instability is caused by an Earthquake.

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143 Earthquake Essay Topics & Examples

Need a catchy title for an earthquake essay? Earthquakes can take place almost everywhere. That is why this problem is so exciting to focus on.

🏆 Best Earthquake Topic Ideas & Essay Examples

🎓 good essay topics on earthquake, 📌 catchy titles for earthquake essay, 👍 research titles about earthquake, ❓ essay questions about earthquake.

In your earthquake essay, you might want to compare and contrast various types of this natural disaster. Another option is to talk about your personal experience or discuss the causes and effects of earthquakes. In a more serious assignment like a thesis or a term paper, you can concentrate on earthquake engineering or disaster management issues. In this article, we’ve gathered best research titles about earthquake and added top earthquake essay examples for more inspiration!

• Crisis Management: Nissan Company and the 2011 Earthquake Expand on the points made in the case to identify the potential costs and benefits of these actions. The sharing of information was quite beneficial to Nissan in its response to the disaster.
• Natural Disasters: Tornadoes, Earthquakes, and Hurricanes Hence the loss may depend on the population of the area affected and also the capacity of the population to support or resist the disaster.
• Analysis of Damage to Apartment Buildings in the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake In turn, it is a prerequisite for the cataclysms in nature, such as earthquakes and the effect of liquefaction which was particular to the Marina district in the disaster of 1989.
• The Parkfield Earthquake Prediction Experiment The seismic activity and the relatively regular sequence of the earthquakes in the area of San Paul Fault generated the interest of the geologists in exploring the processes in the rupture.
• Public Awareness of Earthquake This will mean that the basement that is involved in thickening and shortening is mechanically required to produce the shape of zagros belt.
• Disaster Preparedness and Nursing: A Scenario of an Earthquake In a scenario of an earthquake, nursing staff must be aware of the stages of disaster management and disaster preparedness in particular.
• Earthquake in Haiti 2010: Nursing Interventions During natural disasters, such as the catastrophic earthquake in Haiti in 2010, nursing interventions aim to reduce the level of injury and provide the conditions for the fast recovery of its victims.
• Natural Disasters: Earthquakes, Volcanoes, and Tsunamis In addition, the paper will outline some of the similarities and differences between tsunamis and floods. Similarities between tsunamis and floods: Both tsunamis and floods are natural disasters that cause destruction of properties and human […]
• Mitigation of Earthquake Hazards The geologists should also inform the architects on the areas where earthquakes are likely to occur and how strong they will be able.
• Natural Disasters: Earthquakes, Floods and Volcanic Eruption This is due to the relationship between an eruption and the geology of the area. It was observed that the mountain swelled and increased in size due to the upward force of magma.
• Earthquakes in Chile and Haiti Moreover, the quake in Haiti raptured at the epicenter of the city with a high population density compared to Chile. Therefore despite a lower magnitude earthquake than Chile, Haiti suffered more damage due to the […]
• School Preparedness Plan for Tornado, Earthquakes, Fire Emergency In case of an earthquake emergency, the school should be prepared to keep the students safe. In case of a tornado emergency the school should be prepared to keep the students safe.
• Earthquakes and Their Devastating Consequences The break in the ground surface is the most common cause of horrific consequences, and people often cannot get out of the epicenter of the incident.
• Natural vs. Moral Evil: Earthquakes vs. Murder This problem demonstrates that such justifications for the problem of evil, such as the fact that suffering exists to improve the moral qualities of a person and thus serve the greater good, are unconvincing.
• Earthquake in South Africa: Reconstruction Process Therefore, it is vital for the government of South Africa to address the issues caused by the earthquake and reconstruct the region, focusing on several public interventions to stimulate the region’s growth in the shortest […]
• Review of Earthquake Emergency Response The second resource is the supply of food and water that can help survivors wait for the rescue team for three days.
• California Earthquakes of the 20th Century Ultimately, the current essay examines the most devastating earthquakes in California in the 20th century and proposes a hypothesis of when the next large earthquake might strike.
• Human Activity and Growing Number of Earthquakes The pieces that support the opposing view claim that the data about their number may be distorted due to the lack of difference in the development mechanism of natural and artificial earthquakes.
• Researching the Earthquake Due to human activity, artificial earthquakes occur, and their number increases every year following the strengthening of destructive human impact on the planet.
• Earthquake Disaster Preparedness in Healthcare Therefore, an earthquake disaster infers abrupt and immense shaking of the ground for a duration and magnitude that can infringe the day-to-day activities. The last role of healthcare personnel in triage and intervention is to […]
• Haiti Earthquake of 2010 Overview The purpose of this paper is to review the location and physical cause of the event, its human impact from it, and some of the interesting facts related to the disaster.
• Wenchuan Earthquake: Impact on China’s Economy The earthquake made a moderate impact on the country’s economy, yet affected several industries located in the devastated areas.
• Earthquake Prevention From Healthcare Perspective In terms of primary prevention of such a disaster, it is necessary to establish a public body or organization responsible for the creation of an extensive network of food, water, and first-aid kits to last […]
• The Japan Earthquake and Tsunami of 2011 Documentary The documentary reflects the events leading to the natural disasters and their aftermath, including an investigation into the reasons for the failure of the precautionary measures in place during the 2011 earthquake in Japan.
• Earthquakes in California The earthquake that is the largest by magnitude is in California. It is possible to minimize the damage by an earthquake.
• Earthquakes and Barriers to Risk Mitigation The victims of the earthquake in Haiti were hundreds of people, while the number of wounded and homeless was in the thousands. As for the latter, the worst scenario of the earthquake is created and […]
• Role of the Nurses in the Site of the Haiti Earthquake The primary aim of the tertiary intervention conducted by the health practitioners was to reduce the effect of the diseases and injuries that occurred because of the Haiti earthquake.
• A Geological Disaster: Nisqually Earthquake in Washington State Geology refers to the study of the processes that lead to the formation of rocks and the processes that contribute to the shape of the earth.
• Theory of Disaster: Earthquakes and Floods as Examples of Disasters The second category is that of those people who put their focus on the effects of the social vulnerability or the disasters to the society or to the people who are likely to be the […]
• The Huaxian Earthquake: China’s Deadliest Disaster The main reason for the terrible earthquakes consequences was in the absence of a plan for the emergency case. After visiting China later in 1556, he wrote that the given disaster was likely to be […]
• The Sumatra Earthquake of 26 December 2004: Indonesia Tsunami As such, the earthquake resulted in the development of a large tsunami off the Sumatran Coast that led to destruction of large cities in Indonesia.
• Earthquakes: Plate Margins and Causes of Earthquakes Therefore, the distance of the fracture will determine the intensity of the vibrations caused by the earthquake and the duration of the effect, that is, shaking the ground.
• Review of Public Meeting Regarded Earthquakes This focused meeting held in Port Au-Prince was to formulate the best strategies to help the people of Haiti anticipate, adapt and also recover from the impacts of earthquakes.
• Rebuilding Haiti: Post-Earthquake Recovery No doubt the tremors have taken a massive toll on the lives and resources of Haiti, but it was not only the tremors that caused the damage to such a massive extent.
• Earthquake in Haiti and Its Ramifications The short-term effects of the earthquake include food shortage, lack of clean water; breakdown of communication, lack of sufficient medical care, closure of ports and main roads, increased mortally, injuries, fires, the spread of communicable […]
• Sichuan Earthquake and Recovering as Community Problem We plan to give these pamphlets to businessmen in China and we have also uploaded these pamphlets on the internet for all the people around the world to see and to support this great cause.
• Natural Hazard: Tsunami Caused by Earthquakes Other areas that are prone to the tsunamis include Midwestern and Eastern United States of America and parts of Eastern of Canada, Indian Ocean and East Africa.
• Volcanoes: Volcanic Chains and Earthquakes The “Ring of Fire” is marked by the volcanic chains of Japan, Kamchatka, South Alaska and the Aleutian Islands, the Cascade Range of the United States and Canada, Central America, the Andes, New Zealand, Tonga, […]
• Earthquakes: Causes and Consequences The first of these are body waves, which travel directly through rock and cause the vertical and horizontal displacement of the surface.
• Emergency Response to Haiti Earthquake The response to the earthquake and calamities that followed was a clear demonstration that the country was ill-prepared to deal with such a disaster.
• Haiti and Nepal Earthquakes and Health Concerns As applied to the environment in these countries, roads were disrupted and, in some parts of the area, people could not be provided with the necessary amounts of food and drinking water.
• Hypothetical New York Earthquake Case Therefore, the following faults would be included in the report as potential causes of the earthquake: the 125th Street fault is the largest of all.
• 1906 San Francisco Earthquake: Eyewitness Story The moon crept in and out of the room, like a late evening silhouette, but its lazy rays did little to signal us what we would expect for the rest of the day.
• Scientists’ Guilt in L’Aquila Earthquake Deaths Additionally, there is another issue related to the development of scientific knowledge, which takes time as it is subjected to a lot of criticism before it is adopted.
• Dangerous and Natural Energy: Earthquakes The distribution of earthquakes in the world varies according to the region. Click on one of the earthquakes on the map and make a note of its magnitude and region.
• Earthquake Emergency Management and Health Services Fundamental principles of healthcare incident management involve the protection of people’s lives, the stabilization of the disaster spot, and the preservation of property.
• Drilling Activities and Earthquakes in Kansas According to the report of the State Corporation Commission of the State of Kansas, the work of local drilling companies has considerably increased the number of seismic activities in the state.
• Earthquake as a Unique Type of Natural Disaster Earthquakes are believed to be one of the most dangerous natural disasters, and they can have a lot of negative effects on both the community and the environment.
• US Charities in Haiti After the 2010 Earthquake This paper aims to explore the overall implications of the earthquake and the response to it, as well as to provide an examination of the actions of three U.S.-based NGOs, which contributed to the restoration […]
• Earthquakes Effect on New Zealand HR Management Similarly, the occurrence of the incident led to the loss of lives that had the potential of promoting most businesses into great heights.
• Earthquake Statistics Understanding Tectonic earthquakes are prompted as a consequent of movement of the earth’s crust because of the strain. The USGS National Earthquake Information Center reports an increase in the number of detection and location of earthquakes […]
• Natural Disasters: Tsunami, Hurricanes and Earthquake The response time upon the prediction of a tsunami is minimal owing to the rapid fall and rise of the sea level.
• Geology Issues: Earthquakes The direction of the plates’ movements and the sizes of the faults are different as well as the sizes of tectonic plates.
• 2008 and 2013 Sichuan Earthquakes in China This was the worst and the most devastating earthquake since “the Tangshan earthquake of 1976 in China”. In addition, impacts differ based on the number of fatalities and damages to property.
• Haiti Earthquake Devastation of 2010 In addition, most of the personnel who were part and parcel of the recovery teams were lost in the disaster making it difficult to reach out for the victims.
• Mitigation for Earthquake and Eruption Since the energy is mainly derived from the sustained stress and deformation of the underlying rocks, the precursor signals of earthquakes especially in seismic zones are majorly based on the careful study of the earth’s […]
• Earthquakes Impact on Human Resource in Organizations The researcher seeks to determine the magnitude of this effect and its general effect on the society in general and the firms affected in specific.
• Earthquakes in New Madrid and Fulton City, Missouri The accumulation of this stress is a clear indication of the slow but constant movement of the earth’s outermost rocky layers.
• Tōhoku Earthquake of 2011 The rate at which the pacific plate undergoes displacement is at eight to nine centimeter per annum, hence the plate subduction of the plate led to a discharge of large amounts of energy leading to […]
• Earthquakes as a Cause of the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Although earthquake is a major cause of the post traumatic stress disorder, there are other factors that determine the development of the same.
• Plate Tectonics, Volcanism, Earthquakes and Rings of Fire Plate tectonics has led to the separation of the sea floor over the years and the earth is composed of seven tectonic plates according to the available geological information.
• The 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake The earthquake was accompanied by a great tsunami given the high magnitude of the earthquake that reached 9. The third disaster was the meltdown of a number of nuclear plants following the tsunami.
• The 1979 Tangshan Earthquake The Tangshan Earthquake happened in 1976 is considered to be one of the large-scale earthquakes of the past century. The 1975 Haicheng Earthquake was the first marker of gradual and continuous intensification of tectonic activity […]
• Earthquakes: Definition, Prevalence of Occurrence, Damage, and Possibility of Prediction An earthquake is a dangerous tremor that is caused by sudden release of energy in the crust of the earth leading to seismic waves that cause movements of the ground thus causing deaths and damages.
• Losing the Ground: Where Do Most Earthquakes Take Place? Since, according to the above-mentioned information, natural earthquakes are most common in the places where the edges of tectonic plates meet, it is reasonable to suggest that earthquakes are most common in the countries that […]
• The Impacts of Japan’s Earthquake, Tsunami on the World Economy The future prospects in regard to the tsunami and the world economy will be presented and application of the lessons learnt during the catastrophe in future” tsunami occurrence” management.
• Geology Issue – Nature of Earthquakes Such an earthquake is caused by a combination of tectonic plate movement and movement of magma in the earth’s crust. Continental drift is the motion of the Earth’s tectonic plates relative to each other.
• The Great San Francisco Earthquake The length however depends on the size of the wave since the larger the wave the larger the area affected and consequently the longer the period of time taken.
• The Impact of the California Earthquake on Real Estate Firms’ Stock Value
• Technology Is The Best Way To Reduce The Impact of An Earthquake
• Study on Earthquake-Prone Buildings Policy in New Zealand
• The Devastating Effects of the Tohuku Earthquake of 2011 in Japan
• The Disasters in Japan in 2011: The Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami
• Why Was the Haiti Earthquake So Deadly
• Taking a Closer Look at Haiti After the Earthquake
• The Aftermath of The Earthquake of Nepal
• The Effects of the Fourth-Largest Earthquake in Japan in Problems Persist at Fukushima, an Article by Laurie Garret
• The Greatest Loss of The United Francisco Earthquake of 1906
• The Impact of Hurricanes, Earthquakes, and Volcanoes on Named Caribbean Territories
• The Destruction Caused by the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake
• Foreshocks and Aftershocks in Earthquake
• The Great San Francisco Earthquake and Firestorm
• Scientific and Philosophic Explanation of The 1755 Lisbon Earthquake
• The Haiti Earthquake: Engineering and Human Perspectives
• Voltaire and Rousseau: A Byproduct of The Lisbon Earthquake
• The Great East Japan Earthquake’s Impact on the Japanese
• Estimating the Direct Economic Damage of the Earthquake in Haiti
• What Should People Do Before, During, and After an Earthquake
• What to Do Before, During, and After an Earthquake
• Valuing the Risk of Imperfect Information: Christchurch Earthquake
• The Impact of the Earthquake on the Output Gap and Prices
• The Devastating Earthquake of The United States
• The Earthquake of The Sumatra Earthquake
• The Crisis of the Fukushima Nuclear Plant After an Earthquake
• The Impact of The San Francisco Earthquake of 1906
• The History and Effects of the Indian Ocean Earthquake and Tsunami in 2004
• The Effects of an Earthquake Ledcs
• The Cascadia Earthquake: A Disaster That Could Happen
• The Economy in the Aftermath of the Earthquake
• The Impact of Earthquake Risk on Housing Market Before and After the Great East Japan Earthquake
• Who Benefit From Cash and Food-for-Work Programs in Post-Earthquake Haiti
• Macro Effects of Massive Earthquake Upon Economic in Japan from 2011 to 2013
• How the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake Shaped Economic Activity in the American West
• The Cause of Earthquakes and the Great San Francisco Earthquake of 1906
• The Effect of the Earthquake in Haiti: Global Issues
• Understanding How Gigantic Earthquake and Resultant Tsunami Are Being Formed
• Why God and The Earthquake of Haiti Happened
• The Effects of the Great East Japan Earthquake on Investors’ Risk and Time Preferences
• The Great East Japan Earthquake and its Short-run Effects on Household Purchasing Behavior
• Internal Displacement and Recovery From a Missouri Earthquake
• Understanding the Causes and Effects of an Earthquake
• Supply Chain Disruptions: Evidence From the Great East Japan Earthquake
• The Earthquake That Shook The World In Pakistan
• What Motivates Volunteer Work in an Earthquake?
• Who Benefits From Cash and Food-For-Work Programs in Post-earthquake Haiti?
• Why Did Haiti Suffer More Than Kobe as a Result of an Earthquake?
• Why Did the Earthquake in Haiti Happen?
• Why Does the Earthquake Happen in Chile?
• Why Was the Haiti Earthquake So Deadly?
• Was the Japan Earthquake Manmade?
• How Did the 1964 Alaska Earthquake Enhance Our Understanding?
• How Does the Theory of Plate Tectonics Help to Explain the World Distribution of Earthquakes and Volcanic Zones?
• How Leaders Controlled Events in the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake?
• How Shaky Was the Regional Economy After the 1995 Kobe Earthquake?
• How Would Society React to Modern Earthquakes, if They Only Believed in Myths?
• How the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake Shaped Economic Activity in the American West?
• How Does the Nepal Earthquake Continue to Re-Shape People’s Lives?
• Are People Insured Against Natural Disasters Such as Earthquakes?
• What Is the Long-Lasting Impact of the 2010 Earthquake in Haiti?
• How Do Japanese Smes Prepare Against Natural Disasters Such as Earthquakes?
• The Kobe Earthquake and Why Did Mrs. Endo Die?
• What Was the Last Earthquake?
• What Is an Earthquake, and Why Does It Happen?
• What Are Three Earthquake Facts?
• What Is an Earthquake in a Simple Way?
• How Do Earthquakes Start?
• What Are the Effects of Earthquakes?
• How Can Earthquakes Be Prevented?
• What Are the Five Leading Causes of the Earthquake?
• Where Is the Safest Place to Be in an Earthquake?
• Can Humans Cause Earthquakes?
• What Are Five Facts about Earthquakes?
• Does a Small Earthquake Mean That a Giant Earthquake Is Coming?
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How to Write an Essay About Earthquakes

Diana v. faustmann.

Earthquakes cover as much ground in essay writing as they do in the real world. You can relate a personal earthquake experience, describe the steps to become a seismologist, narrate the earthquake history of a certain location or compare earthquakes to other natural disasters. Then you can choose to describe your topic, narrate a specific incident, analyze earthquake effects or argue for a better earthquake coping mechanism. These rich options challenge you to narrow your focus and define your purpose upfront. Then use sound research and a simple essay format to convey your informed message about earthquakes clearly and concisely.

Narrow your focus. Choose an area about earthquakes that fascinates or intrigues you and then restrict your focus further within it. For example, go from earthquakes in general to the Haiti earthquake of 2010, and from its effect on the Haitian people to orphans specifically.

Decide on your angle. Perform cursory research on your selected topic and then decide whether you want to narrate, explain, analyze, argue or persuade your readers to take action.

Establish your thesis and identify several sub-topics that exemplify or otherwise support your thesis. Develop a thesis statement that contains both elements. For example, “Seismology is a sound career to consider. You work outdoors most of the time, study the causes and effects of earthquakes in depth, and help to discover ways to limit their damage.”

Outline your introduction, body and conclusion. Focus your research on the data that you need to amplify your sub-topics. For instance, for the sub-topic, “The Richter scale is an inadequate earthquake measurement tool,” in your outline, add three bullets corresponding to case studies that illustrate that claim.

Write your introductory paragraph to compel further reading. First, provide a lead-in that gives earthquakes an interesting or original slant. Then narrow your focus and end with a statement of your thesis. For example, “My family barely escaped calamity in last summer's earthquake. Many of our neighbors were not so lucky; they lost homes and lives. Clearly, our homes still don’t adequately protect us from shifts in the seismic plates beneath us. We need to better earthquake-proof our area with a building code that is stronger in three major areas: (a), (b) and (c).”

Assign one or two paragraphs to address each sub-topic. Begin each paragraph with a topic sentence followed by supporting facts or examples. For example, state that “Governments should discourage new developments over known earthquake faults.” Follow this topic sentence with a description of three communities that earthquakes virtually demolished.

End your essay clearly and confidently. Begin your conclusion with “in summary” or “in brief,” then restate your thesis and sub-topics. Engage your readers with one final, memorable or compelling statement or anecdote. For example, “Compassion can be as earth-shaking as an earthquake, but with the opposite effect. Investigate how you can help to rebuild the lives of Haitian earthquake orphans today.”

• Sometimes your research leads you to a different conclusion than your thesis originally set out to prove. Adjust your thesis statement accordingly.
• Keep your sentences short and coherent. As much as possible, use active verbs throughout.
• Use transitional expressions between sentences and paragraphs; words such as “moreover,” “consequently” and “finally,” help your readers follow your train of thought and move smoothly from one thought to the next.
• Review your essay for spelling and grammar errors and any weaknesses in its flow. If possible, recruit a friend to help you proofread your essay before you submit it.
• 1 Purdue Online Writing Lab: Essay Writing

About the Author

Since 1988, Diana Faustmann has been writing on technology, business and culture. Her articles have appeared in various print publications, corporate websites and authoritative online sites. Faustmann holds a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from the University of the Philippines.

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Geography Notes

Essay on earthquake: top 10 essays on earthquake.

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Here is a compilation of essays on ‘Earthquake’ for class 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12. Find paragraphs, long and short essays on ‘Earthquake’ especially written for school and college students.

Essay on Earthquake

Essay Contents:

• Essay on the Effects of Earthquake

Essay # 2. Causes of Earthquake:

There are many causes for earthquakes. Among them tectonic movement of the earth, volcanic eruption, icefall and landslide are the main ones.

Tectonic Movement :

The material of the interior of the earth gradually contract due to loss of heat by radiation. As a result of this, some tectonic forces (tensional and compressional forces) are produced which shake the surface. These forces are mainly responsible for the formation of Fold Mountains and rift valleys. That is why, the earthquakes occur more frequently in the regions of Fold Mountain.

Volcanic Eruption :

During volcanic eruptions lava, ashes and steams come out with an enormous force. These cause earthquakes on the surrounding areas of the volcano.

Sometimes large blocks of ice fall into the valleys from a snow capped mountain. Such a fall may cause a minor earthquake.

Landslide :

In mining area sometimes a large portion of land falls into the vacant space below and causes earthquake of minor nature.

The other causes of earthquakes may be due to the various reasons depending upon their intensity.

The following are the major causes:

i. Superficial movements.

ii. Volcanic eruption.

iii. Faulting and folding.

iv. Earthquakes due to other causes.

Earthquakes due to superficial movements:

The feeble earthquakes are caused due to the superficial movements such as dynamic agencies operating upon the earth’s surface.

(i) The dashing of waves cause vibration along seashore.

(ii) Water descending along high waterfalls.

(iii) The snow falling (avalanche) down from high altitude causes ground vibration.

(iv) The movement of locomotive and working of heavy machinery produces feeble vibration, along the railway tracks and in industrial areas.

Earthquakes caused due to volcanic eruption:

Some of the volcanoes may also produce earthquakes such earthquakes are generally feeble or severe.

Earthquakes caused due to folding and faulting:

The earthquakes caused due to folding/faulting are more disastrous. They are known as tectonic earthquakes and directly or indirectly change the very structural features of the earth’s crust.

Earthquakes caused due to other causes:

Atomic minerals disintegrate emanating α (alpha), β (beta), ϒ (gamma) rays due to radioactivity or due to bombarding. This produces enormous amount of heat and energy within the crust of the earth, which may also initiate very severe earthquakes.

Atomic tests:

Atomic tests conducted in earth’s crust or oceans, which have become a common thing now-a-days, release enormous energy on account of sudden explosion, which follows initiation of earthquakes.

Rocks burst and blasting in the deep under mines generally initiates earthquake tremors.

Essay # 4. Prediction of Earthquakes :

The precise prediction about earthquake calamity is elusive though it is not impossible, since for human grey matter sky is the limit. Recently, the frequency of earthquake calamities in the region has attracted the attention of the scientists all over the world.

It has been observed that earthquake may occur and reoccur at the same places and new places but they do not have any regular scale or frequency. The scientists know that elastic strain is piling up along SAF (San Andreas Fault) since 1906, but they are unable to forecast the exact day, time and place.

In about half of the cases, just before the rocks reach the rupture point to announce the event, small foreshocks announce hours, days or even months before the climax shock, that stress has become critical. The long series of post event tremors indicate adjustments.

Sometimes, the break may be as large as the major shock. Unusual animal behaviour, fluctuations of ground water level in wells and springs and variation in the discharge of springs are the phenomena closely related to the development of fractures.

In China, about 90 per cent of the country is lying on the young and restless crust. Chinese have successfully employed most of the precursors in predicting major disasters and have specially mastered the art of closely monitoring and analysing normal behaviour of animals to forecast earthquakes.

The Haicheng earthquake of February 1975, of 7.3 magnitude, destroyed 90 per cent of the structures, but without loss of life due to timely evacuation of the population of nearly a million. There is evidence that full moon and associated high tides, excessive precipitation and sharp biometric gradient changes, and particularly another quake elsewhere act as ‘trigger’ for earthquake.

Essay # 5. Facts about Earthquakes :

I. Earthquakes do not kill people, structurally unsound buildings can do.

II. There is no foolproof mechanism or technology in the world to predict quakes.

III. Himalayas could be ‘overdue’ for a great earthquake, though no one knows when and where these will occur.

IV. Active thrust faults exist all across foothills of northern India, the north-east and into northern Pakistan.

V. The subcontinent is sitting on the highly seismic Indian plate, with some major fault lines. In fact, there is no safe zone in India.

VI. Of late, the Indian plate boundary has become very active. It is on gradual move, pushing against the Eurasian plate by 4-5cm every year.

VII. All the plates of India should have a disaster management authority to deal with any eventuality.

VIII. Building of laws formulated after 2001 Bhuj earthquake to ensure the construction of quake-proof houses have not been implemented by any state government.

IX. India is among the few countries with no regulatory mechanism to control building activities.

X. Tremors of the Muzzafarbad quake were felt as far as west Bengal.

XI. Disasters have left the 800 years old Qutub Minar with slight tilt, but it has survived several quakes in its life time.

Essay # 6. Classification of Earthquakes :

The earthquakes are classified on number of bases. Of these the depth of FOCUS, the cause, the intensity and magnitude of earthquakes are very important.

1. Classification based on depth of Focus:

Accordingly the earthquakes are termed as:

i. Shallow:

When the focus lies within 60 km.

ii. Intermediate:

When its focus lies within 60 to 300 km from the surface.

iii. Deep seated:

When the focus lies beyond the 300 km depth.

2. Classification based on origin:

The earthquakes are broadly classified into Tectonic and Non- Tectonic types. The tectonic earthquakes are directly related to the movements of crystal block along faults. They are generally very severe and area affected is often very great.

The non-tectonic type includes earthquakes due to number of causes such as:

i. Volcanic eruptions.

ii. Collapse of underground caverns.

iii. Superficial movement like landslides, etc.

3. A third way to classify the earthquakes is on the basis of their intensity, which is defined by the effects or degree of damage that an earthquake produces on the structure and features of the earth.

A numbers of scales of intensity have been suggested.

Some of them are:

i. Rossifeerets scale, and

ii. Mercale scale.

Richter’s scale:

This scale of intensity is adopted internationally. Charles F. Richter, an American Seismologist, devised the earthquake intensity scale. This is based in the total amount of energy released during an earthquake. The energy is called ‘magnitude’. The magnitude is calculated mathematically using the amount and duration of ground vibration/tremors as recorded by seismograph.

Essay # 7. Record of Earthquakes :

Seismograph:

The instrument used for recording the vibrations of the earth crust is known as ‘seismograph’.

The vibrations are recorded on a strip of paper or photograph film and the diagram is produced as shown:

Most seismographs contain a heavy weight suspended from a support, which is attached to bedrock. When waves from a distant earthquake reach the instrument the inertia of the weight keeps it stationary while the earth and support vibrate.

The movement of the earth in relation to the stationary weight is recorded on a rotating drum. Some seismographs detect horizontal motion while others detect vertical motion. The traces of the earthquake waves are usually recorded on a moving photographic paper as a series of zigzag lines.

With the help of seismograph the distance between the recording station and the epicentre is located or determined.

Essay # 8. Seismic Waves Produced during Earthquake :

At the time of earthquake three types of waves are produced from the focus Seismic waves are of three types—P waves, S waves and L waves.

Surface waves or L waves are responsible for causing earthquakes while the importance P and S waves are in study of earth’s interior. P and S waves travel through the interior of the earth and are reflected and refracted as they enter core and mantle layers.

P waves or Primary waves:

These are compressional waves, which cause the material of rock to vibrate in longitudinal direction. The primary waves travel faster, therefore, they reach the seismic station first.

They pass through solid as well as liquid media. The velocity of P waves from 5.5 to 13 km per second. These waves are also called as Push waves and are similar to Sound waves.

S waves or Secondary waves:

These are shear waves, which are transverse in nature, whose velocity is less than P waves. (The velocity of these waves varies from 3 to 7 km per second). The S waves travel through solids only and do not pass through liquid media.

L waves or Surface waves:

When primary and secondary waves reach the earth’s surface they are converted into longitudinal wave. L waves travel along the surface and cause earthquakes. They are traverse in nature and their velocity is much less than P and S waves (velocity varies from 4 km to 4.3 km per second.  

Essay # 9. Earthquakes Resisting Structures :

To build earthquake-resisting structure it is very essential to determine the probable intensity and magnitude in the concerned area. The history and record of previous earthquake and the knowledge of geology of the area are helpful in this connection.

i. Perfectly designed steel framed or reinforced ferro concrete structure possesses high degree of resistance from damage.

ii. It is recommended that in soft grounds where soil-bearing capacity is very poor, a concrete raft- foundation should be adopted for structures.

iii. The height of large building should not exceed 100 ft. The heavy loads near the top, like heavy stone work in coping and water tanks should be avoided.

iv. Bridges with screw pile foundation stand better to the shocks, than that of bridges with brick arches, and girder supported on stone work piers.

v. In house construction light roof (Low density concrete) and polymer construction material are recommended.

vi. Walls constructed in cement with wet bricks work bonded are essential.

vii. Careful planning can ensure that the streets are wide in relation to the height of buildings. Many of the deaths caused during earthquakes are due to the collapse of tall buildings into narrow streets.

viii. Reinforced concrete houses are relatively stable. Doors and windows are provided in alternate positions.

ix. The most secure house is one that will move as a unit.

x. The light weight material such as wood, hard board and light weight fire proof polymer products are employed in the construction of residential building particularly in strong seismic zones as found in Japan.

xi. The main aim of the engineer is to design and construct buildings, bridges and dams in seismic zones considering seismic co-efficient of the locality in such a way that they can minimise loss of life during an earthquake.

Essay # 10. Effects of Earthquake :

1. In cities seismic waves disrupt underground service such as water, gas pipelines, bursts causing fire.

2. Roads are fissured, railway lines are twisted, dams and bridges are destroyed, electrical transmission is snapped causing short circuit of electricity and out-break of fire hazards.

3. Buildings are damaged and people get frightened resulting in loss of life and property.

4. Permanent tilting of landmass may occur in certain areas, landslides may occur in hill regions.

5. Rivers change their courses; fissures are opened up in the ground, which may cause springs.

6. Earthquakes occurring below the ocean floor may cause heavy damage to coastal areas.

Various changes take place on the surface of the earth as a result of earthquake. Some areas may subside or rise-up due to earthquakes. The earthquakes may also bring about a change in surface drainage by causing landslides and damming of rivers. This leads to flood or formation of lakes in the upper reaches of the rivers.

Sometimes large areas may be raised up above sea level so that they become plains. Sometimes again, a large plain may sink and become part of a sea. Sedimentary rock layers may be folded by the pressure exerted by the earthquakes. Devastating sea waves are also caused by the earth tremors.

They often cause great loss to the coastal areas. Although earthquakes are generally disastrous, they sometimes do constructional work also. They can create lakes, plains and islands.

The earthquakes of Bihar (1903 and 1934), of Baluchistan (1935), of Tokyo (1923), of Assam (1897 and 1950) and recent earthquakes of Chile, Mexico, Yugoslavia and Iran caused great loss to human lives and property, and brought about many changes to the earth’s surface.

The recent earthquakes of Armenia (1988), Turkey (1999), India (2001), Pakistan-India (2005) and of Iran (1989, 2006) are also worth mentioning. Recently, the earthquake of March 11, 2011 of Japan has completely destroyed the city of FUKUSHIMA and also 4 nuclear reactors.

Related Articles:

• Concept of Seismic Zoning | Seismology | Geology
• Types of Seismic Waves | Seismology | Branches | Geology
• Essay on Earthquakes: Top 5 Essays on Earthquakes | Geography
• Earthquake: Causes, Effects and Distribution of Earthquake

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How to Describe an Earthquake in a Story

By Brittany Kuhn

Does the central plot in your novel revolve around an earthquake that has happened? In this post, you’ll learn about how to describe an earthquake in a story. We’ve included 10 words below to explain further.

1. Catastrophe

• Intense, devastating change to the environment.
• Moment of complete failure or tragedy.

“California’s 1906 earthquake is still one of greatest catastrophes ever recorded.”

“I could not believe how catastrophic the earthquake was to my neighborhood: not a single house went untouched.”

How it Adds Description

When you want to describe your earthquake as particularly devasting, use catastrophe to show its obliterating impact on the buildings or natural environment. Catastrophic can also help to describe characters’ feelings about how the earthquake has affected them, particularly if their belongings have been destroyed or families hurt.

2. Slow burn

Gradual build up of power or intensity until a final explosion or outburst.

“Luckily, that 7.8 earthquake last week was a slow burner ; it built up so gradually that everybody had a chance to evacuate before it really hit.”

“Some of the worst earthquakes I’ve ever experienced were slow burns over a period of a few hours.”

By focusing on more than just the effects of an earthquake, describing one as a slow burn allows you to show the way people might prepare and set the atmosphere for the actual event. A slow burn earthquake also gives you a chance to build tension towards how powerful the earthquake may finally be.

3. Glass shattering

So loud or shaking so extremely hard that it does (or could) literally shatter glass into small pieces.

“Yesterday’s glass shattering earthquake was measured as a 6.3 on the Richter scale.”

“My first memory was hiding in our kitchen during a glass shattering earthquake.”

If an earthquake is powerful enough, it could cause windows, mirrors, or glass dishes inside of a house to crack and break from the violent movements. Using glass shattering also highlights what the characters are hearing during the earthquake and how intense the whole experience might be for them.

4. Ground splitting

A separation , crack, or fissure in the earth or rocks.

“We were completely unprepared for the ground splitting earthquake.”

“The ground splitting earthquake was so powerful that it caused a 6-foot fissure to open in the street.”

For an earthquake to actually cause a crack in the ground (like in the movies), the plates would have had to move quite dramatically, resulting in a pretty intense earthquake. Describing the earthquake as ground splitting immediately shows the reader that this event is pretty significant and should be followed closely.

5. Reverberating

Echoing , rippling, or bouncing back.

“The tremors of the reverberating earthquake could be felt two states over.”

“Her favorite part of studying earthquakes was tracking how far their effects reverberated outward.”

Want to focus on the far-reaching effects of an earthquake? You can use reverberating to highlight the way the vibrations in the earth slowly ripple out from the epicenter. Or, if you want to focus on the way things sound, you could use reverberating to highlight how everything goes silent in ripples then explodes back into sound in waves outward from the epicenter.

6. Underwater

Happening in or beneath the water’s surface .

“What was most disturbing about the underwater earthquake was that we never heard it coming.”

“The first I knew of an earthquake underwater was the large plume of water that shot straight up like a geyser, right outside my portside window.”

If you want to cause a tsunami or if your story’s events take place in the sea, put your earthquake underwater . Underwater earthquakes are often more powerful than land-based ones. Putting the earthquake in the sea also allows for you to include a reason for plot-relevant catastrophic effects like tidal waves or damage to boats and marine life.

7. Negligible

Of such little importance as to have little to no effect.

“The earthquake was so negligible that it barely rattled the front door.”

“The negligible earthquake barely registered on the Richter scale.”

Not all earthquakes are destructive. Sometimes you might want an earthquake as a plot device to bring two characters together or cause some minor damage to an object that needs replacing. By describing the earthquake as negligible , you show that the earthquake was barely noticeable and only as important as your plot needs it to be.

8. Rumbling

• A strong sound that slowly builds in intensity.
• A low, echoing sound travelling from a far distance.

“The earthquake’s rumbling started low at first and built to a body-rocking tremor by the time it finally hit.”

“We could hear the rumbling earthquake from deep within the earth long before we felt it.”

Sometimes, in order to create suspense, you need to describe how something sounds before you can describe how it feels. Using rumbling to describe the sound of the earthquake approaching builds tension as the characters (and readers) are preparing for what could be a pretty hefty earthquake as the rumbling gets closer.

9. Expansive

Wide-reaching, vast , large.

“Towns 350 miles from the epicenter of the expansive earthquake could feel the tremors.”

“We could not believe how expansive the earthquake’s aftershocks reached.”

If you want to show the size of the earthquake, use expansive to describe it as covering a large surface area and affecting a great number of people and buildings. In many cases, the stronger the earthquake, the larger it is, so the word expansive gives your reader a sense of just how wide-reaching the effects are.

10. Localized

Be focused on a smaller, more confined point .

“Yesterday’s earthquake seemed to be more localized than we first thought; only those in the nearest three towns were effected.”

“Sometimes I wonder what is worse: a powerful, localized earthquake that takes down all the buildings in one town or a weaker, more expansive one that just does a bit of surface damage but effects 20x as many people.”

Contrary to expansive , you could also describe your earthquake as localized if you want to emphasize how little it effected. Localized suggests that the earthquake only really affected the town or core area your characters or the plot is based in, rather than having any far-reaching or more worldly relevance.

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• Earthquake Essay

Download the Earthquake Essay Available on Vedantu’s Website.

Earthquakes are some of the most devastating natural disasters. Millions of dollars worth of property are damaged and a hundred die every time a big magnitude of eater quake strikes.  It is in this regard that everyone must read and know about earthquakes and be prepared to mitigate the damage. Furthermore, the topic of earthquakes is quite often asked in exams. Preparing for this topic will enable them to have an edge and score more marks in the English paper.

To serve the above-mentioned purpose, Vedantu has come up with the Earthquake essay. This essay is prepared by the experts who know what exactly is required to know and weeding out points that are not important. The essay is very precise and would surely allow students to successfully claim marks in the essay question and even stay prepared when an earthquake actually strikes.

What is an Earthquake?

When the earth’s surface shakes, the phenomenon is referred to as an earthquake. Precisely, the sudden trembling of the earth’s surface is the cause of an earthquake. Earthquakes are regarded as one of the deadliest natural disasters. Huge damage and loss of property are caused by earthquakes. There are various types of earthquakes. Some of them are severe in nature. The most dangerous thing about an earthquake is that it is quite unpredictable. It can cause several damages without any previous indication. The intensity of an earthquake is measured by the Richter’s scale. Generally, earthquakes occur due to the movement of tectonic plates under the earth’s surface.

Types of Earthquake

There are four kinds of earthquakes namely 

Tectonic Earthquake,

Volcanic Earthquake, 

Collapse Earthquake and 

Explosive Earthquake.

Tectonic Earthquake 

It is caused due to the movement of the slab of rocks of uneven shapes that lie underneath the earth’s crust. Apart from that, energy is stored in the earth’s crust. Tectonic plates are pushed away from each other or towards each other due to the energy. A pressure is formed because of the energy and movement as time passes. A fault line is formed due to severe pressure. The center point of this dispersion is the epicenter of the earthquake. Subsequently, traveling of the waves of energy from focus to the surface causes the tremor.

Volcanic Earthquake

The earthquake caused by volcanic activity is called a volcanic earthquake. These kinds of earthquakes are of weaker magnitudes. Volcanic earthquakes are categorized into two types. In the first type, which is called volcano-tectonic, shaking happens due to input or withdrawal of Magma. In the second type, which is termed as Long-period earthquake, tremors occur due to changing of pressure among the earth’s layers.

Collapse Earthquake

Collapse Earthquake is the third type of earthquake that occurs in the caverns and mines. This is another example of a weak magnitude earthquake. Mines collapsed due to underground blasts. Consequently, seismic waves are formed due to this collapsing. Earthquakes occur because of these seismic waves.

Explosive Earthquake

The fourth type of earthquake is called an explosive earthquake. This is caused due to the testing of nuclear weapons.

Effects of Earthquake

The effects of earthquakes are very severe and deadly. 

It can cause irreparable damage to property and loss of human lives. The lethality of an earthquake depends on its distance from the epicentre. 

Damage to establishments is the direct impact of an earthquake. In the hilly areas, several landslides are caused due to earthquakes.  

Another major impact of an earthquake is soil liquefaction. Losing the strength of water-saturated granular material is the cause behind this. The rigidity of soil is totally lost due to this.

Since the earthquake affects the electric power and gas lines, it can cause a fire to break out. 

Deadly Tsunamis are caused due to earthquakes. Gigantic sea waves are caused by the sudden or abnormal movement of huge volumes of water. This is called an earthquake in the ocean. When tsunamis hit the sea coasts, they cause a massive loss of lives and properties. 

Earthquake is termed as one of the most huge and lethal natural disasters in the world. It proves the fact that human beings are just nothing in front of nature. The sudden occurrence of earthquakes shocks everyone. Scientists are working rigorously to prevent the damage of earthquakes, but nothing fruitful has been achieved yet.

Examples of Devastating Earthquake

The city of Kobe in Japan witnessed a devastating earthquake on January  17, 1995, killing more than 6,000 and making more than 45,000 people homeless.  The magnitude of the quake was 6.9 at the moment which caused damage of around 100 million dollars.  The governor of Kobe spent years on reconstruction and made efforts to bring back fifty thousand people who had left home.  Japan geologically is a highly active country. It lies upon four major tectonic plates namely, Eurasian, Philippine, Pacific, and North American which frequently meet and interact.

The second incident is in Nepal where an earthquake struck on April 25, 2015. About 9000 people were killed and almost 600,000 structures were destroyed.  The magnitude of the quake was 7.9 and the repels were felt by neighbouring countries like Bangladesh, China and India.  The disaster caused severe damage of millions of dollars. All the countries across the world including India garnered to help Nepal by sending monetary aid, medical supplies, transport helicopters and others.

FAQs on Earthquake Essay

1. How to download the Earthquake Essay?

The Earthquake essay is available on Vedantu's website in PDF format. The PDF could be downloaded on any device, be it android, apple or windows.    One just has to log on to www.vedantu.com and download the document. The document is totally free of cost and a student does not need to pay any prior registration fee.  

2. How to protect oneself during an earthquake?

Earthquakes could be very disastrous and can cause a lot of collateral damage.  During an earthquake you can look for the corners to hide. Another safe place to hide is under the table or under the bed. If one is sitting in a multistory building, avoid taking a lift and only use the stairs. In this kind of situation, one should never panic and stay calm.  Let the earthquake pass until then keep hiding in the safe spot. Once over, come out to evaluate the situation and take appropriate actions.

3. How to mitigate the effects of an earthquake?

Prevention is better than cure. It is always a better idea to take necessary actions before an earthquake has struck. In the first place, send a copy of all your documents to someone reliable. In case of an earthquake that destroys your important documents, there would always remain a facility to retrieve them.  Research and know if your city is in a seismic zone.  One should also take note of earthquakes during the construction of a house and lay emphasis on a seismic-proof house.

4. How can one teach people about the effects of an earthquake?

There are many ways one can raise awareness about the effects of earthquakes.  There is Youtube and Instagram which could be used to disseminate all the knowledge about the earthquake and its impact on humans. You can also go to schools and colleges to conduct a seminar whereby the students could be told about the mitigation and steps to take when an earthquake strikes.  However before that, one must thoroughly research the topic. For this, visit www.vedntu.com and download the earthquake essay for free.

5. Who has written the Earthquake essay?

The earthquake essay provided by Vedantu is prepared by expert teachers who invest a good amount of time and effort to come up with an essay that is highly useful for the students in their personal lives as well as for their academic performance. The students can use this essay to maximize their abilities to cope with the questions on earthquakes and the earthquake itself. The essay is totally reliable and one mustn’t doubt its credibility at all.

A narrative essay -First time I experienced an earthquake- Feedback

arubi 1 / 4   Sep 3, 2010   #1 Prompt: I have to write a Narrative Essay, based on a significant change of my life. I want to see if I'am heading in the right direction. At the tender young age of nine, I already had lived through my first earthquake in Chile. I had evaded death and lived to tell its story. I had experienced at first hand the trauma of living through one of Mother Nature's most notorious catastrophes. The earthquake taught me that life is unpredictable and life should be cherished intensely. I was living with my grandmother at that point in my life. It was an ordinary Sunday morning; I was dressing up to go to church with grandma. My aunt Berta had called earlier that morning to see if I wanted to attend church with her, but I wanted to spend the day with grandma. At that moment, I had not realized the impact of that choice. As we took the bus to the church, I remember thinking what a picturesque and tranquil day it was, resembling the calm before the storm. As we stepped off the bus, we immediately headed to the entrance of the church, arriving approximately at the start of mass. We sat near the exit of the church. The priest started his general discourse of the day which merely lasted a few minutes before we started sensing mild tremors. He said over his discourse, "Please do not be startled. It is only a tremor it will soon end". In the past I had experienced many tremors in the apartment we lived in, but due to my lack of understanding, I took tremors as mild disturbances and not as a prelude to disaster. Nevertheless, as soon as he finished his statement, the tremor turned into a cataclysmic earthquake. The earthquake feels like the ground underneath is having convulsions, shivering up and down with vigorous strength. Reaction is almost impossible due to shock and we could not move because it feels like the ground underneath is coming undone. Grandma and I started heading to the exit by holding on dearly to the church pews. As she led me to the exit, we struggled with other people who were fighting to escape, consumed by fear. Everyone was trying to flee through the small exit, and no one was succeeding. I felt like we were destined to stay inside of the church. I remember thinking, "This is it, my life is about to end", and praying to God for salvation. In the middle of my prayer for salvation, the earthquake stopped. We were soon pushed by the mob of people towards the exit of the church. As we stepped out of the church exit, we saw people on the ground who had been subdued by others. We started helping the people around us. Ironically the first person we saw at the exit of the church was the priest that had, a few moments ago, said everything would be fine. Grandma and I decided to head back to the apartment via the middle of the streets. As we began our course through the streets, we saw many people in the streets in shock, buildings on the ground, they were either entirely destroyed or partially. The streets were an impression of a war zone. As we walked, the aftershocks were continuously haunting us. Furthermore, the streets had been torn in the middle, opening up the earth. We felt obliged to make stops before heading to the apartment due to the aftershocks. When we arrived on the street of the apartment building we lived on, my aunt Berta met us in the front and said to my grandmother ,"It was a blessing in disguise she did not attend church with me" , half of the building had collapsed and she had been lucky to escape with her life intact. The apartment building looked as safe as the other buildings that had toppled down, it would be a great risk to walk up the stairs to the fourth floor. Grandma made the steadfast decision to stay on safe ground. Although, the building had survived with no visible structural damage. We gathered with a group of people outside, given that no one thought it was safe to go inside any surrounding buildings or structures in this disastrous wake. It was early in the afternoon; we contemplated staying in my aunt's home, located only a few blocks away. But due to the aftershocks and danger surrounding us, we decided it would be better to stay in the streets. My aunt at the time drove a Volkswagen rabbit, forest green. She offered her car to us and our neighbors; we found it to be the best shelter at the time. That night was an abomination; more aftershocks were in store for us. In the morning, we decided to get our personal things and some belongings together, since we would be staying in my aunt's house. We walked up the stairs to the apartment with much trepidation. As we stepped inside the apartment, we were lucky to find only a few things had fallen on the floor. We organized everything and headed out as fast as our feet could carry us to safe ground. Upon arriving at my aunt's home, we greeted her and I left both grandma and aunt bertha conversing, while I headed off to my assigned bedroom. When I sat down on the bed into depleted slumber, all my thoughts centered on the events of the previous day. It was quite an experience to have survived such a disaster. I realized that nature can't be controlled and life is a precious gift. Therefore, I know every step I take is a gift and ever since then I have lived my life to the fullest potential. Thank you for your help, I'am just starting out with this essay.

janeypooh 4 / 15   Sep 3, 2010   #2 Very well written and great vocabulary word usage. I think the essay is excellent!!

OP arubi 1 / 4   Sep 3, 2010   #3 Janessa, Thank you for your input. I feel much better knowing I'am heading in the right direction. Thanks again.

sweetnyangie 2 / 6   Sep 4, 2010   #4 I think this essay is amazing, and touching at the same time. But, I suggest that you should indent your paragraphs just so that it looks better.

OP arubi 1 / 4   Sep 4, 2010   #5 Angelica, thank you for reading my essay. I will definitely make sure to indent. Thanks.

scarecrowd 8 / 16   Sep 9, 2010   #7 Great Essay with emotional.

OP arubi 1 / 4   Sep 17, 2010   #8 Thank you for your feedback. This is a great forum site. Everyone is extremely supportive.

mea505 - / 265   Sep 17, 2010   #9 Ana, Now that you have a number of critiques and suggestions concerning your essay, why don't you take the time to re-write it and post the re-write on the forum? I think that you will find that after you re-write the essay, it will look and sound better. Each time, in fact, that you re-write it, you will feel that you have improved it that much more. Please post the re-write. Mark

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Essays on Earthquake

Hook examples for earthquake essays, anecdotal hook.

"Imagine standing in your home, the ground suddenly shaking beneath your feet, and the world around you trembling. I experienced this firsthand, and it left me with a profound respect for the power of earthquakes."

Rhetorical Question Hook

"Can we ever truly predict when the earth will shake, or are we forever at the mercy of Mother Nature's seismic whims? Earthquakes raise questions about our understanding of the planet."

Startling Statistic Hook

"Each year, there are over a million recorded earthquakes globally, with thousands causing significant damage. These statistics underscore the need for preparedness and resilience."

"'Nature does not know extinction; all it knows is transformation.' These words by Wernher von Braun highlight the ever-changing and dynamic nature of our planet, including the seismic forces at play."

Historical Hook

"Throughout history, earthquakes have shaped civilizations and landscapes. Exploring the seismic events that have left their mark on human history offers valuable insights."

Narrative Hook

"Step into the shoes of a survivor of a devastating earthquake, where resilience and community come to the forefront. This narrative unveils the human stories behind the geological forces."

Contrast Hook

"In a world of technological advancements and scientific discoveries, why do earthquakes continue to catch us off guard? Contrasting our capabilities with the unpredictable forces of nature raises important questions."

Emotional Appeal Hook

"The fear, the loss, and the hope that follow an earthquake resonate deeply with our shared humanity. Understanding the emotional aftermath underscores the importance of preparedness."

Shocking Scenario Hook

"Imagine a future where earthquake prediction becomes a reality, saving lives and preventing destruction. Exploring this scenario challenges us to push the boundaries of science and technology."

Curiosity Hook

"What causes earthquakes, and how do they shape the Earth's surface? Delving into the geological processes behind seismic events unravels the mysteries of our dynamic planet."

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Essay on Earthquake in English for Children and Students

Table of Contents

Essay on Earthquake: The earthquake is one of the most terrible natural disasters. Its source can be traced to the early days of earth formation. It is responsible for a great loss of life and property. It is, therefore, a great problem for mankind. The word earthquake is derived from the Greek words, ‘earth’ meaning ground and ‘quake’ meaning shaking or trembling. An earthquake, therefore, is a shaking or trembling of the earth.

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Earthquake occurs due to disturbance in the tectonic plates that lie under the surface of Earth. Earthquakes may be brief and mild or big and destructive. Our planet has suffered several severe and mild earthquakes since centuries. Earthquakes are mostly brief but can cause mass destruction within seconds. People around the world have suffered immensely due to earthquakes in the past.

Long and Short Essay on Earthquake in English

Here are essay on Earthquake of varying lengths to help you with the topic in your exam. You can select any Earthquake essay as per you need:

Short Essay on Earthquake in 200 words

Earthquakes occur suddenly, usually without any warning signs, and can cause huge destruction. Though there is a separate branch of science referred to as seismology that study about earthquakes and tries to predicts their occurrence however, it doesn’t help in determining the exact time or date of this natural calamity.

Scientists around the world constantly try to predict the occurrence of earthquakes. While seismology department does warn against Earthquake in certain areas in future however it is unable to find out as to when exactly it would occur.

As it is said, little knowledge is dangerous hence lame predictions about earthquakes do more harm to the people than good. People begin to live in constant fear of earthquake. Panic among people living in such areas can be seen clearly as they can hardly do much about safeguarding themselves from the possible destruction caused due to this natural calamity.

However, earthquakes aren’t always severe and destructive. At times, these are small and mild. Sometimes, these are so mild that people do not even get to know that these have occurred. However, even at the slightest of tremors, it is suggested to evacuate the buildings and come out in an open area to ensure safety.

Essay on Earthquake in 300 words

Earthquakes and volcanoes are two natural calamities that occur due to the changes in the surface of Earth. Man has little or just no role in bringing about these natural disasters. Earthquakes and volcanoes are said to be interrelated. It has been observed that volcanic regions are more prone to earthquakes that often serve as a warning sign of an impending volcano.

Earthquake is basically the shaking of the Earth. Earthquakes either occur due to the movement of tectonic plates under the Earth’s surface or because of the movement of magma in volcanoes. The ones caused due to magma movements may be followed by volcanic eruptions. Earthquakes can be weak as well as violent. While the weak volcanoes are hardly felt, the violent ones can result in the devastation of big buildings and huge loss of life. Numerous earthquakes have occurred in different parts of the world causing severe destructions.

Volcano is the eruption of hot lava from the surface of Earth. It occurs when the Earth’s crust ruptures. Hot lava, poisonous gases and volcanic ash come out by way of volcanic eruptions and can cause vast destruction. Different types of volcanoes include super volcanoes, sub-glacial volcanoes, underwater volcanoes and mud volcanoes.

What is Volcanic Earthquake?

Volcanic earthquake also known as volcano tectonic earthquake is caused due to the movement of magma. This movement exerts pressure and causes changes in the rock around the magma and this eventually leads to volcanic earthquake. These earthquakes are known to cause major destruction that may include ground deformation, uprooting of buildings and ground cracks.

Both earthquakes and volcanoes may result in severe loss for the mankind. While scientists try their best to predict both of these, they haven’t been successful in determining the time and date for these natural disasters. People living in earthquake and volcano prone areas must stay vigilant and be prepared to face these and should act calmly and wisely if such a problem occurs.

Essay on Earthquake in 400 words

Earthquakes are caused due to the movement of magnum or tectonic plates under the Earth’s surface. They may vary in severity, time and other factors. Earthquakes have been classified into various categories. The effect they cause varies based on their type.

Types of Earthquake

There are different types of earthquakes that have been experienced on our planet. Here is a look at the main types of earthquakes:

• Tectonic Earthquake

A tectonic earthquake is an outcome of the breakage of Earth’s crust because of exertion of pressure on rocks and tectonic plates.

This is often a mild earthquake that takes place in the same area that has been hit by a severe earthquake few hours, days or weeks before.

A small earthquake that takes place before a severe earthquake is referred to as a foreshock.

• Explosion Earthquake

This type of earthquake occurs because of explosion of a chemical and nuclear device.

• Volcanic Earthquake

It is an earthquake that occurs due to the combination of tectonic forces and volcanic activities.

• Collapse Earthquake

This type of earthquake is caused due to the explosion of rocks. These are generally mild earthquakes that occur due to mining activities.

• Submarine Earthquake

It is an earthquake that takes place underwater particularly at the bottom of an ocean. It is commonly referred to as Tsunami.

Causes of Earthquake

An earthquake basically is an outcome of the movements of tectonic plates beneath the Earth’s surface. However, these are also caused due to certain other reasons. These are mostly natural reasons however sometimes these can even be man-made. Given below are the various causes of earthquakes:

• Volcanic Eruptions

Volcanic eruptions are a common cause of earthquake. Areas that are faced with frequent volcanic activities are more prone to earthquakes.

• Geological Fault

It occurs because of the displacement of plates from their original position. As the rocks move alongside these planes, it brings about tectonic earthquakes.

• Human Activities

Man is known to influence various natural activities and earthquakes are no exception. Nuclear bombing, building of dams and mining are few such human activities that can cause earthquake.

Effects of Earthquake

Mild earthquakes are harmless however the violent ones can cause mass destruction. Numerous lives are lost, several people are injured and many houses and other buildings are devastated during this natural calamity.

Earthquake is a dangerous natural calamity that has caused huge damage in various parts of the world. It cannot be avoided as the scientists are not able to predict its occurrence accurately.

Also Read: Speech on Earthquake in simple and easy words

Essay on Earthquake in 500 words

Earthquake is a natural calamity which is capable of causing vast destruction and there is no way to stop it from occurring. Our planet has been hit by a number of strong earthquakes of different magnitudes that have led to the loss of many innocent lives and heavy damage to the property. A need for disaster management for earthquake was felt owing to the huge and frequent damage they had been causing around the world.

Earthquake Management

The seismic department studies earthquakes. The department monitors the environment and the activities that occurs under the Earth’s surface in an attempt to predict earthquakes and their severity. However, it has largely failed in predicting the exact date and time of occurrence of the earthquake.

Since it is almost impossible to forecast and avoid the occurrence of earthquakes, we must prepare ourselves to lower the losses caused by these. Japan for instance is highly prone to earthquakes. However, their preparedness to handle this natural calamity ensures little or no damage to property and life in the country.

The recent earthquakes that jolted India have shown how under-prepared we are to handle this natural calamity. A need to build an environment which is earthquake resistant has been felt. Though, this cannot be full proof however efforts in this direction can certainly help bring down the magnitude of losses.

Extensive research is going on in this direction. Builders are being encouraged to build earthquake resistant structures. Special degree in Earthquake Engineering is being imparted to prepare our future generations to tackle this natural disaster smartly. Structural Earthquake Engineering, Geo-technical Earthquake Engineering, Remote Sensing and Seismology are the fields that are being explored and taught.

Do not Panic during an Earthquake

It is but natural to panic during any difficult situation however doing so only worsens the problem. We must thus not panic during earthquake. We should rather act wisely. Here are few things you can do to lower the possibility of disaster:

• Come out of your house/ office/ shop and gather in an open place.
• Do not use elevator. Take the stairs to go down.
• Make sure you are at a safe place as you come out and not somewhere where there is a possibility of falling objects or collapsing building.
• Get under a table or bed if you cannot move out.
• Stay calm and don’t indulge in negative talks.
• Help those caught inside or in need if you can.

Earthquake: Precautions to be taken

People living in earthquake prone areas must stay alert and prepared to handle this natural disaster at all times. Here are certain things that they must keep handy:

• Necessary medicines
• Canned packaged food
• Camp stoves that can be installed outdoors
• Enough drinking water
• Sanitation stock
• Cash/ Debit card/ Credit Card
• Important Certificates/ documents

It is a good idea to prepare a bag that can be carried easily in case of emergency.

The government must take measures to ensure the destruction caused by this natural calamity is lowered. In case of a severe earthquake, the government must take measures to help people who lose their houses and other important belongings. The government must be prepared to handle such an emergency situation efficiently so that people do not suffer further.

Essay on Earthquake in 600 words

Earthquakes occur when the tectonic plates shift and climb over one another. This leads to mountain building referred to as orogeny which is the cause of severe earthquakes. Thus, the tectonic plates that lie under the surface of Earth are responsible for this natural calamity. Just like many other parts of the world, India has also experienced numerous earthquakes in different areas. While some of these have caused serious destruction others have largely gone unnoticed.

Major Earthquakes in India

Our country has suffered from some major earthquakes in the past that have led to severe damage and immense panic among people. Some of the major earthquakes experienced in India are as follows:

The Hindu Kush Earthquake (26 October 2015) : This was a magnitude 7.5 earthquake that caused vast destruction in South Asia. Jammu and Kashmir in India was jolted by this quake and tremors were felt in many other parts of Northern India. With its epicentre in Afghanistan, the quake caused tremendous destruction in the country as well as in its neighbouring country Pakistan. Statistics reveal that 399 people lost their lives and as many as 2539 were injured during this earthquake.

The May 2015 Nepal Earthquake : Yet another severe earthquake in Nepal that led to havoc in India too as strong tremors were felt in various parts of our country including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Delhi. With its epicentre in Dolakha and Sindhupal Chowk, Nepal it was a 7.3 magnitude earthquake. Considered to be an aftermath of the April 2015 earthquake, it took away 218 lives and injured more than 3200 people.

The April 2015 Nepal Earthquake : This is said to be one of the major earthquakes that has ever occurred in the recent times. It was a 7.8 magnitude earthquake. The epicentre of this earthquake was Gorkha District in Nepal however strong tremors were felt in various parts of India too. It led to the devastation of many buildings and took as many as 9,000 lives. 22,000 people were injured during the event.

Bhuj Earthquake (26 January 2001): This was one of the most devastating natural calamities that ever hit our country. The earthquake with a magnitude of 7.7 lasted for more than 2 minutes and wrecked havoc on the beautiful Indian state of Gujarat. Numerous buildings were devastated as a result of this earthquake. It killed around 20,000 people and injured as many as 167,000 people.

The Latur Earthquake (30 September 1993): The Latur earthquake hit the Indian state of Maharashtra. This 6.2 magnitude earthquake mainly affected the districts of Latur and Osmanabad. It demolished as many as 52 villages in Maharashtra and killed around 10,000 people. As many as 30,000 people were injured during the event.

Uttarkashi Earthquake (2 nd October 1991): The earthquake with a 6.8 magnitude hit Gharwal and Uttarkashi in Uttrakhand. Strong tremors were felt in these two regions and various other parts of Uttar Pradesh. It caused mass destruction. Numerous buildings were wrecked during the event. More than 700 people lost their lives and numerous others became homeless.

Earthquake Prone Areas in India

Almost every part of India has been hit by earthquake at some point or the other. While some areas in the country are highly prone to earthquakes others stand a low chance of being hit by them. Some of the earthquake prone areas in the country include Srinagar, Mumbai, Delhi, Guwahati, Pune, Kolkata, Chennai, Patna, Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram. All these regions have felt strong tremors of earthquake in the past and stand a high chance of experiencing the same in future as well.

India has seen major destruction due to earthquakes. Many buildings have been damaged and several people have lost their lives due to this natural calamity. We wish and pray to God that such strong tremors don’t occur in future.

Essay on Earthquake in 800 words

An earthquake is a tremor that is produced when two surfaces of earth, underneath the surface, slip against each other and release seismic waves. Thus, an earthquake implies a sudden release of energy from within the earth, which takes the form of tremors, generally called earthquake. World over, around fifty thousand earthquakes occur annually, but only about hundred of them are potentially dangerous. Little was understood about them until the 20 th century, when Seismology was introduced as a study of earthquakes. In the following essay we will go through the causes, effects and facts about earthquakes.

Causes of Earthquakes

Earthquakes are caused by the movement or breaking of rocks underneath the surface of earth. Under earth’s surface layers of rocks stay connected to each other. The rocks or plates push each other continuously, but doesn’t move as the forces balance each other.

However, if the rocks break or layers move against each other, seismic waves are produced which reach the surface in form of tremors known as earthquake. Hence earthquake is felt as long as the rocks are rubbing against each other and ceases as soon as the rocks get stuck again. In seismic language, the point immediately below where the rocks break is called the focus and the point immediately above is called the epicenter.

Measurement

The severity of an earthquake is measured in Richter scale. A strong earthquake has a high value on Richter scale while a low earthquake has a lower value.

An earthquake which measures 6 to 7 on Richter scale is potentially damaging to life and property, while the effects of earthquake measuring 4 to 5 on Richter scale could result only in mild tremors or a little structural damage.

There are many effects of earthquake and may include the following; though, they are not limited to the effects mentioned here below-

1) Tremors or Shaking

Shaking of ground is the first effect of earthquake and is also the most damaging one. The severity of shaking; however, depends on the magnitude of earthquake and the distance of the place from the epicenter. An earthquake measuring around 6 or above on Richter scale has an ability to destroy even the most strongest of buildings, depending on their proximity to the epicenter.

2) Ground Rupture

Sometimes, an earthquake measuring high on Richter scale could cause visible rupture in the ground along the fault line. Sometimes, when the earthquake is potentially high on Richter scale, a ground rupture measuring several meters deep and several kilometers long, may result. Such ground ruptures are considerably harmful to significant structures like dams, nuclear power stations and bridges.

Earthquakes can cause forest fires, as tremors force the trees to rub each other, thereby generating heat and sparks. There have been forest fires recorded after earthquakes. Moreover, an earthquake can cause fire in urban areas also, by rupturing electrical lines and damaging electrical protection systems.

4) Landslides

Landslides are the most common aftereffects of earthquake in hilly areas. Shaking of earth displaces the soil on sloppy hills, resulting in a landslide. The landslides sometimes could be potentially more dangerous than the earthquake itself, as they contain debris like trees and rocks, and have a high potential to damage life and property.

Tsunami is the most severe and frightening aftereffect of earthquake. Tsunami is caused when the epicenter of an earthquake lies under the ocean surface. An earthquake in the sea bed results in waves those are not more than a ripple over the epicenter, but as they travel towards the shore, they get bigger, faster and stronger. A wave only measuring 1 meter above the epicenter could measure 100 meters at the shores, resulting in huge loss of life and tremendous damage to the property.

What to do in an Earthquake?

Though the science of studying earthquake has developed significantly, and today it’s possible to forecast an earthquake, even then it might not be possible in every place and situation. Below given are some of the safety precautions you could take when caught in a situation, to save yourself and family from harm.

Situation 1 – Outdoors

If you are outdoors and sense an earthquake, move away from buildings, poles, trees as fast as you can. The greatest danger is immediately outside of a building and near boundaries. When caught outside in an earthquake it’s wise to stand still on a clear ground, away from any structure that could fall upon you.

Situation 2 – Indoors

If you are caught in an earthquake inside a building, the best option for you would be to find some sturdy and strong table or bed and lie down below it, ducking your head under your arms. Stay put in this position until the tremor ceases or help arrives.

Situation 3 – Driving a Vehicle

If you are driving and sense an earthquake, then move as fast as possible from buildings and other high structures and stay inside the vehicle. Even after earthquake, proceed cautiously and avoid bridges if possible, as the tremors might have damaged them.

Earthquakes are a natural phenomenon and despite our knowledge on them, we cannot stop them from occurring; nevertheless, we can always act wisely when caught in the situation, saving our life as well as life of others.

Essay on Earthquake FAQs

What is called an earthquake.

An earthquake is the shaking of the ground caused by sudden movements in Earth's crust.

What makes an earthquake?

Earthquakes happen when the Earth's plates suddenly move or slide past each other, releasing energy that causes the ground to shake.

What is the topic of an earthquake?

The topic of an earthquake revolves around the shaking and vibrations in the Earth's surface caused by geological movements.

What is the meaning of earthquake in English?

Earthquake in English refers to the shaking or trembling of the ground due to geological forces.

What is the introduction of an earthquake?

An earthquake introduction would cover the basics: how it occurs due to tectonic plate movements, causing shaking or trembling of the ground.

How do you write an earthquake essay?

To write an earthquake essay, start with an introduction explaining what an earthquake is, discuss its causes, effects, and safety measures, and conclude with preventive measures.

What is an earthquake in 150 words?

An earthquake is a sudden shaking of the Earth's surface caused by movements in the Earth's crust. These movements release energy, creating seismic waves that make the ground shake, potentially causing damage to structures and landscapes. Safety measures and preparedness are crucial to mitigate the impact of earthquakes.

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A Tale of Four Troubled and Talented Sisters, Told With Irish Flair

There’s more than blarney in Caoilinn Hughes’s riotous, ambitiously structured new novel.

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S. Kirk Walsh is the author of “The Elephant of Belfast.”

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THE ALTERNATIVES, by Caoilinn Hughes

Caoilinn Hughes’s exuberant third novel opens with Olwen Flattery, a geology professor, lecturing her undergraduate students about tectonic convergence. “ Just imagine the force it would take to move a mountain! And we’re not talking about violent, sudden processes, like an earthquake shouldering up a mountain range. No. These forces are so incremental and immense, so imperceivable and unstoppable, that there’s no halting their progress.”

Soon, the reader is introduced to Olwen’s younger sisters, all in their 30s, without husbands but with Ph.D. degrees. Two decades earlier, they were orphaned when their parents wandered off a cliff on a stormy night. As it turns out, all four have become a force of sorts: Olwen, Maeve, Nell and Rhona — each one in motion at different speeds with different agendas and ambitions, each one “unstoppable” in a way.

Maeve is an Instagram-famous chef and author of a cookbook series who has recently become preoccupied with the food shortages produced by Brexit, and by the idea of enlisting her Bosnian mime roommate as a potential sperm donor. Nell is an adjunct philosophy professor in Connecticut who prefers a celibate lifestyle and the solace of frigid nocturnal swims to the companionship of others. Rhona is one of the world’s leading proponents of citizens’ assemblies, a professor of political science at Dublin’s Trinity College and a mother to a cheery 11-month-old baby. (“In fact, Leo was the result of two missed contraceptive pills, a night of MDMA and a moonlit sea, after a beach party at an electoral reform conference in Lisbon.”)

On a rainy evening, Olwen disappears, and it’s unclear whether she wants to be found or not. Months later, Rhona discovers Olwen’s coordinates and collects her scattered sisters for an adventure. As with any good Irish novel, there are familiar elements of alcoholism, mental illness, rural landscapes, adverse weather conditions and tumultuous family reunions. But to categorize this novel into a tidy box undermines the daring genius of its author.

Reminiscent of Ali Smith’s brilliant novel “Autumn,” Hughes’s prose is like a virtuosic jazz number — loose, free and surprising. Despite the boundless spirit of the narrative, her authorial command rarely wavers. Occasional digressions emerge in the secondary story lines and the expounding of political and philosophical ideas, but those spokes of thought often connect to the novel’s center, returning to the sisters as they each reconsider their own versions of home and family. At one point, there is a lengthy discussion of Heidegger and the notion that “care is what makes us human. … We’re borne of care, it’s an intractable phenomenon of being, our central way of understanding the self.” What is the difference between “taking care of” and “caring for”? And how do these beliefs apply to Olwen and her longing to disappear?

Midway through, Hughes introduces a two-act-play structure. Admittedly, that shift requires a bit more from the reader, but within a few pages, she seduced me with her clever narrative strategy and its ability to amplify the distinct voices of these sisters. Instead of distracting from the main narrative, this structural choice energizes — and deepens — the characters.

Perhaps Hughes is pointing to the influence of the great Irish dramatists, such as J.M. Synge, Brendan Behan and, more recently, Tom Murphy, who hailed from her hometown of Galway and was known for the musicality of his language, his dark humor and the demands of his plays on actors and audiences. I also found myself thinking about the novelistic stage directions found in Eugene O’Neill’s work, reflecting his lyrical voice as much as the precision and rigor of his instructions.

Despite the grief, loneliness and isolation threaded throughout, “The Alternatives” is also a funny novel. Wit and humor percolate, like a simmering pot, throughout the scenes. On the sentence level, rhythm and cadence propel Hughes’s effortless prose. In one of the stage directions during a pub scene, the author writes of Nell and then Maeve: “Her body lifts and resettles, as if resetting the needle on the vinyl after a scratch. They are both put in mind of their father — his passion for company and chaos, his overspill of love, his need for a teeming house, loud with chatter. It was his idea, surely, to treat postpartum with more children. To treat aloneness with company.”

“The Alternatives” is a bold, beautiful, complex novel, and I can’t wait to read what Hughes writes next. She, too, is an unstoppable force.

THE ALTERNATIVES | By Caoilinn Hughes | Riverhead | 352 pp. | $28

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