Learning Task 2: Restate the cause and effect of an earthquake in the given informational text below. Do this in your notebook. Why do earthquakes happen? Earthquakes usually happen when underground rocks along a fault break. This sudden release of energy causes the shaking of the Earth’s surface. When tectonic plates are rubbing against each other, they stick a little. They don’t just slide smoothly; the rocks catch on each other. The rocks break because of all the pressure that was built up. When rocks break, blocks of rocks start moving, and they continue to move until they reach a new resting position. The place where the earthquake starts is called the focus of the earthquake. The place right above the focus (on top of the ground) is called the epicenter of an earthquake.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Cause and Effect of an Earthquake
Cause: Earthquakes occur when rocks along a fault underground break. This happens due to the pressure building up when tectonic plates rub against each other. The rocks catch on each other and don’t slide smoothly, creating friction. Over time, this friction causes stress, and eventually, the rocks break under the pressure.
Effect: When the rocks break, they release a significant amount of energy. This energy travels through the Earth and causes the shaking of the Earth’s surface. The movement of the broken rocks continues until they settle into a new position. The place where the earthquake starts is called the focus, and the place directly above it on the surface is known as the epicenter.
Explanation:
Earthquakes are a result of a buildup of pressure in the Earth’s crust. The Earth’s surface is made up of large sections called tectonic plates. These plates move slowly over time and can rub against one another. However, the plates don’t move smoothly; instead, they get stuck because the rocks at the edges of these plates catch on each other. This is where the buildup of pressure happens, because the plates are still trying to move, but the friction holds them in place.
As the pressure builds up, it eventually becomes too much for the rocks to handle, causing them to break. This release of pressure causes the rocks to move suddenly, creating an earthquake. The energy released from the breaking rocks travels through the Earth in the form of seismic waves, which are responsible for the shaking that we feel on the surface. The focus is where the break happens deep within the Earth, and the epicenter is the point on the surface directly above the focus.
The movement of the rocks may continue after the earthquake, as the rocks shift into a new resting position. This shifting is why earthquakes can cause significant damage to structures and landscapes. The cause is the buildup of pressure, and the effect is the shaking of the Earth’s surface, resulting in an earthquake.
