9 Causes of Earthquakes Complete with Disaster Mitigation Methods

Kapanlagi.com - Earthquake becomes one of the natural disasters that humans often feel. The main cause of earthquakes can occur due to the movement of tectonic plates, causing shocks on the surface of the earth. However, there are other causes of earthquakes that can trigger such natural disasters.

An earthquake is one of the disasters that can be felt by every living creature with vibrations on the surface of the earth due to the movement of tectonic plates. Earthquakes can occur at any time with a certain duration and frequency. In addition, based on the size of the earthquake felt, this natural disaster can occur from small to large scale.

Earthquakes are measured using a special device called a seismometer. When the earthquake measuring device shows a magnitude below 3, the shocks are generally not felt by humans. However, if the earthquake magnitude shows a number greater than 6 to 7, it has the potential to cause damage to surface areas such as buildings. So far, earthquakes are still a natural disaster threat that is prone to occur in various regions, both on land and at sea.

In certain areas such as regions crossed by active tectonic plate boundaries and have many volcanoes, they may be vulnerable to earthquakes. In addition, earthquakes can occur in both land and sea areas according to the cause of the earthquake.

For more complete information about the causes of earthquakes, the following has been summarized by Kapanlagi.com from various sources. The causes of earthquakes are summarized in the points below.

1. Shifting of Earth's Tectonic Plates

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The first cause of earthquakes can occur due to the shifting of Earth's tectonic plates. This shifting can cause the plates to move and result in shaking on the surface. The shifting of tectonic plates can be triggered by pressure on the Earth's crust, leading to earthquakes.

In addition, active tectonic plate activities such as moving apart, the formation of new plates, or the occurrence of pressure can also trigger earthquakes. According to liputan6.com, the formation of new plates will exert pressure on the two previous plates. As a result, these plates will move downwards, causing a significant release of energy. In active tectonic plate activities such as moving closer together, it can also lead to the formation of new mountains.

2. Volcanic Magma Movement

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The next earthquake can also be triggered by volcanic activity. One of them is the movement of magma that causes shaking on the surface of the earth. The moving magma can cause explosions and earthquakes. However, these earthquakes are usually more felt in residential areas close to active volcanoes.

3. Causes of Earthquakes Due to Explosive Materials

The next cause of earthquakes can occur due to certain explosive materials. In this case, when these explosive materials are active and explode, the impact can cause shaking or vibration on the surface of the earth, which is the effect of the explosive materials. According to liputan6.com, earthquakes caused by humans, including explosive materials, are called induced seismicity.

4. The Occurrence of Water Mass Accumulation

According to liputan6.com, earthquakes can be caused by the accumulation of a very large amount of water mass. Although it is quite rare, the accumulation of water mass can cause shaking on the surface of the earth. Another cause of this water mass accumulation is the geothermal power plant. However, this cause is also rare and not often felt.

5. Tectonic Earthquakes

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The causes of earthquakes based on their types can also occur due to several causes such as tectonic earthquakes, volcanic earthquakes, impact earthquakes, or collapse earthquakes. The following is a more complete discussion of the causes of earthquakes based on their types:

Tectonic earthquakes are earthquakes that occur in tectonic plate activities. These tectonic plate activities can occur suddenly, both on a small and large scale. In this case, tectonic plate activities can occur due to the release of energy or the movement of plates either upwards or downwards, moving away or approaching until new plates are formed. Earthquake shocks caused by tectonic earthquakes can be felt on the surface and can potentially cause damage if they are of high magnitude.

6. Volcanic Earthquake

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As discussed earlier, magma activity has the potential to cause earthquakes. Based on their type, earthquakes caused by active volcanic activity are called volcanic earthquakes. When a volcano becomes active and releases magma, it will cause shaking and can be felt on the surface.

7. Collision Earthquake

This earthquake can occur due to the collision of a meteor or asteroid falling to Earth. The cause of collision earthquakes usually rarely occur and are felt by humans. This collision earthquake is also one of the types of earthquakes that can be felt even if they are small.

8. Earthquake Collapse

The cause of this type of earthquake can occur due to the collapse of certain areas such as mining areas that cause shaking. However, this type of earthquake usually rarely occurs and is localized in certain areas. This cause may be vulnerable in areas such as hills and mountains.

9. Artificial Earthquake

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As known, artificial earthquakes can occur due to human activities such as the activation of explosive materials that cause shaking and earthquakes on the surface. Some of these explosive materials can come from nuclear activities, bombs, or other explosive materials.

10. Earthquake Disaster Mitigation

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After understanding the causes of earthquakes with some explanations above, it is also important to know how to prepare disaster mitigation when earthquakes occur. Moreover, mini disasters can occur anytime with unpredictable scales. The earthquake disaster mitigation that can be prepared to face such situations are as follows as reported by bmkg.go.id:

- Do not panic and seek refuge immediately.

- If inside a house, try to find a shelter from debris either under a table or elsewhere.

- Run outside if there is an opportunity and stay away from buildings.

- When driving a car, immediately get out and down to avoid accidents.

- When staying at the beach, try to stay away from the beach location to avoid tsunamis.

- Avoid landslide-prone areas if in mountainous or hilly areas.

This earthquake disaster mitigation includes several important points during an earthquake. That's the complete cause of earthquakes along with their disaster mitigation.

(kpl/nlw)