Study the San Andreas Fault to see how horizontal movement displaces underlying rock and causes earthquakes
Earthquakes are caused by a sudden fracture of rock masses along a fault line.
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Transcript
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NARRATOR: Earthquakes are caused by powerful geologic forces rarely visible on the surface. For example, the rocks on either side of a fault may move only a few centimeters per year, but this movement produces enormous stress and strain in the rocks. As movement continues over years, or even centuries, stress and strain increase. More and more elastic energy is stored in the rocks. Along the San Andreas fault, horizontal movement has taken place. By means of a diagram, we can represent the horizontal movement. A cutaway view reveals that the underlying rocks have been displaced. We can also see the focus of an earthquake, the place beneath the surface where the rocks have ruptured. The location on the surface directly above the focus is called the epicenter of the earthquake. Maximum damage is most likely to occur at the epicenter.
[Music out]
NARRATOR: Earthquakes are caused by powerful geologic forces rarely visible on the surface. For example, the rocks on either side of a fault may move only a few centimeters per year, but this movement produces enormous stress and strain in the rocks. As movement continues over years, or even centuries, stress and strain increase. More and more elastic energy is stored in the rocks. Along the San Andreas fault, horizontal movement has taken place. By means of a diagram, we can represent the horizontal movement. A cutaway view reveals that the underlying rocks have been displaced. We can also see the focus of an earthquake, the place beneath the surface where the rocks have ruptured. The location on the surface directly above the focus is called the epicenter of the earthquake. Maximum damage is most likely to occur at the epicenter.
[Music out]
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