GEOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Earthquakes can range in intensity, from those that are so weak that they cannot be felt, to those violent enough to propel objects and people into the air, damage critical infrastructure, and wreak destruction across entire cities.

Detailed explanation-2: -A small earthquake nearby will feel like a small sharp jolt followed by a few stronger sharp shakes that pass quickly. A small earthquake far away will probably not be felt at all, but if you do feel it, it will be a subtle gentle shake or two that is easier to feel if you’re still and sitting down.

Detailed explanation-3: -In fact, a big reason many people don’t feel earthquakes is that they’re simply not situated well enough during the shaking. Alternatively framed: they’re within the perceptible radius of the quake, but are not paying enough attention.

Detailed explanation-4: -The tectonic plates are always slowly moving, but they get stuck at their edges due to friction. When the stress on the edge overcomes the friction, there is an earthquake that releases energy in waves that travel through the earth’s crust and cause the shaking that we feel.

Detailed explanation-5: -The more energy in an earthquake, the more destructive it can be. Depth: Earthquakes can happen anywhere from at the surface to 700 kilometers below. In general, deeper earthquakes are less damaging because their energy dissipates before it reaches the surface.