Collapsing buildings claim by far the majority of lives, but the destruction is often compounded by mud slides, fires, floods, or tsunamis. On average, a magnitude 8 quake strikes somewhere every year, and some 10,000 people die in earthquakes annually. A quake measuring 3 to 4.9 is considered minor or light 5 to 6.9 is moderate to strong 7 to 7.9 is major and 8 or more is great. Scientists assign a magnitude rating to earthquakes based on the strength and duration of their seismic waves. Earthquake magnitude ratings and their impacts Other quakes can occur far from faults zones when plates are stretched or squeezed.
When this stress is released quickly, it sends massive vibrations, called seismic waves, often hundreds of miles through the rock and up to the surface. These impacts are usually gradual and unnoticeable on the surface however, immense stress can build up between plates. Most earthquakes occur at fault zones, where tectonic plates-giant rock slabs that make up Earth's upper layer-collide or slide against each other.
Some 80 percent of all the planet's earthquakes occur along the rim of the Pacific Ocean, called the "ring of fire" because of the preponderance of volcanic activity there, as well. Learn about the geophysics behind earthquakes, how they are measured, and where the most powerful earthquake ever witnessed occurred. Earthquakes can leave behind incredible devastation, while also creating some of the planet's most magnificent formations.
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