EARTHQUAKES
A. Operational Definition
An earthquake is the result of a sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust that creates seismic waves. Earthquakes are recorded with a seismometer, also known as a seismograph. The magnitude of an earthquake is measured on the Richter scale with magnitude 3 or lower being mostly imperceptible, and magnitude 7 causing serious damage over large areas.
In its most generic sense, the word earthquake is used to describe any seismic event—whether a natural phenomenon or an event caused by humans—that generates seismic waves. Earthquakes are caused mostly by the rupture of geological faults, and huge amounts of gas migration mainly methane deep within the earth, but also by volcanic activity, landslides, mine blasts, and nuclear experiments.
Minor earthquakes occur nearly constantly around the world in places like California and Alaska in the U.S., as well as in Chile, Peru, Indonesia, Iran, Pakistan, the Azores in Portugal, Turkey, New Zealand, Greece, Italy, and Japan.[5] Larger earthquakes occur less frequently, for instance the recurrence rates for an earthquake of 3.7 - 4.6 happens every year, for an earthquake of 4.7 - 5.5 every 10 years, and an earthquake of 5.6 or more every 100 years.
In its most generic sense, the word earthquake is used to describe any seismic event—whether a natural phenomenon or an event caused by humans—that generates seismic waves. Earthquakes are caused mostly by the rupture of geological faults, and huge amounts of gas migration mainly methane deep within the earth, but also by volcanic activity, landslides, mine blasts, and nuclear experiments.
Minor earthquakes occur nearly constantly around the world in places like California and Alaska in the U.S., as well as in Chile, Peru, Indonesia, Iran, Pakistan, the Azores in Portugal, Turkey, New Zealand, Greece, Italy, and Japan.[5] Larger earthquakes occur less frequently, for instance the recurrence rates for an earthquake of 3.7 - 4.6 happens every year, for an earthquake of 4.7 - 5.5 every 10 years, and an earthquake of 5.6 or more every 100 years.
B. Intensity and Frequency and Relationship to Climate Change
Playing the devil’s advocate are researchers countering environmental alarmists’ claims that most or all natural disasters are integrally related to climate change. According to critics, earthquakes appear as geographic activities independent of climate change. Conversely, environmentalists argue that these researchers should be less environmentally myopic. The latter claim research evidences a relationship between climate change and earthquakes.
There are two types of earthquakes namely tectonic earthquakes and glacial earthquakes. The former is more intrinsic to the lithosphere while the latter is influenced by global climate change. For instance in\ Greenland, the rise of seismic activity linked to the movement of glaciers may be a response to global warming.
There are two types of earthquakes namely tectonic earthquakes and glacial earthquakes. The former is more intrinsic to the lithosphere while the latter is influenced by global climate change. For instance in\ Greenland, the rise of seismic activity linked to the movement of glaciers may be a response to global warming.
C. References:
[1] http://climatechangenews.blogspot.com/2006/03/glacial-earthquakes-point-to-rising.html
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