EARTHQUAKE
An earthquake is a sudden shaking of the ground caused by the movement of plates in the Earth's crust. Earthquakes can cause damage to buildings and infrastructure, and can also trigger landslides, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions. Opens in a new window www.undp.org Earthquake There are two main types of earthquakes: tectonic earthquakes and volcanic earthquakes. Tectonic earthquakes are the most common type of earthquake, and are caused by the movement of plates in the Earth's crust. Volcanic earthquakes are caused by the movement of magma or lava beneath the Earth's surface. The magnitude of an earthquake is a measure of the amount of energy released by the earthquake. The magnitude of an earthquake is measured on the Richter scale, which ranges from 0 to 9. An earthquake with a magnitude of 2.0 or less is usually not felt, while an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.0 or greater can cause widespread damage. The intensity of an earthquake is a measure of the shaking o...