The Science Behind Earthquakes: Seismic Waves and Geological Faults

Imagine the ground beneath you is not one solid piece, but a giant jigsaw puzzle made of massive

plates.

These tectonic plates are constantly moving, but sometimes they get stuck.

When the pressure builds up and finally releases, it sends shock waves through the Earth.

This is what we feel as an earthquake.

But what exactly are these shock waves?

The shock waves from earthquakes are called seismic waves.

There are two main types.

P waves, which travel fastest and move the ground back and forth, and S waves, which are slower

but shake the ground side to side.

These waves ripple out from the earthquake's focus, and their speed and direction depend on the materials they

pass through underground.

But where do earthquakes actually start?

Most originate along geological faults, fractures in the Earth's crust, where plates meet.

The most famous is California's San Andreas fault.

But there are thousands worldwide.

When stress along a fault overcomes friction, the plates suddenly slip, releasing energy.

This energy travels as seismic waves, causing the shaking we experience on the surface.

Not all earthquakes are created equal.

The strength of an earthquake depends on how much energy is released and the type of rocks involved.

Some quakes are so minor they’re only detected by sensitive instruments, while others can reshape entire landscapes.

Understanding seismic waves and faults helps scientists predict risks and design safer buildings, making our world a little

less unpredictable.