Earthquake



Earthquake‏‎

An earthquake (also known as a quake, tremor or temblor ) is the result of a sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust that creates seismic waves. The seismicity, seismism or seismic activity of an area refers to the frequency, type and size of earthquakes experienced over a period of time.

Earthquakes are measured using observations from seismometers. The moment magnitude is the most common scale on which earthquakes larger than approximately 5 are reported for the entire globe. The more numerous earthquakes smaller than magnitude 5 are measured mostly on the local magnitude scale, also referred to as the Richter magnitude scale. These two scales are numerically similar over their range of validity. Magnitude 3 or lower earthquakes are mostly almost imperceptible or weak and magnitude 7 and over potentially cause serious damage over larger areas, depending on their depth. The largest earthquakes in historic times [1] have been of magnitude slightly over 9, although there is no limit to the possible magnitude..

Intensity of shaking is measured on the modified Mercalli scale. The shallower an earthquake, the more damage to structures it causes, all else being equal.

In its most general sense, the word earthquake is used to describe any seismic event — whether natural or caused by beings — that generates seismic waves. Earthquakes are caused mostly by rupture of geological faults, but also by other events such as volcanic activity, landslides, mine blasts, and nuclear tests. An earthquake's point of initial rupture is called its focus or hypocenter. The epicenter is the point at ground level directly above the hypocenter.

The word Earthquake is an official Union lingu word but is considered Earth (Terra) centric and the event is called

Seismic Event or simply Quake

Quakes and seismic events still have the potential of causing damage and be the cause for injuries and death on developing planets and colonies.

However detailed geological observations and a Seismic Planet Assessment are part of a planetary survey. The SPA report is added to the overal Planet classification and delivered to BoCA,

Depending on the seismic conditions, BoCA adjusts the Initial Colonist Package with tools and equipment designed to the expected conditions.

The Army Corps of Engineers and several private owned Planet construction companies ( Wurgus and SII companies) offer many solutions to change the natural seismic conditions of a planet.

Among most seismic active worlds that are also colonized Union worlds are : Tremor, Planet, Shaker, Rattle-N-Roll and the officially most violent world in terms of seismic activity : Toss