Bad Vibes

Most recent answer: 01/14/2010

Q:
My dad said that earthquakes are only vibrations in the ground. If that's true, why do they kill so much people? I didn't know that vibrations could kill people! Sounds crazy!
- Tarah (age 12)
A:
A big vibration can shake buildings enough to make them collapse. Your dad's right.
Mike W.

(published on 01/14/2010)

Follow-Up #1: Do tectonic plates exist?

Q:
Are the tectonic plates which are the main cause of the earth quakes discovered b the scientist..Do they really exist...How could scientist tell that there are tectonic plates...
- Prudhvi Raj Borra (age 16)
Machilipatnam,Andhra Pradesh,India
A:
Yes, Virginia1, tectonic plates exist and they are the main source of earthquakes. They are a fairly recent discovery, although people had suspicions for a long time.  The clinching evidence occurred in the 1960's when detailed maps of the ocean floor became available and showed the outline of them.  Their boundaries follow the lines of well known earthquake hot spots.  There is a very nice web site you should look at:


 
LeeH

1)  Francis Pharcellus Church  
     http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yes,_Virginia,_there_is_a_Santa_Claus

(published on 02/03/2010)