Physics of Earthquakes

Layers of the earth

Lithosphere

Continental/Ocean crust

Asthenosphere

Techtronic plates movement

Divergent/Convergent/Transform

Stress buildup from movement

Forces Involved (Planetary Scale Thermoconvection system)

“ridge push” gravity forces

High mass on a slope at a spreading ridge

Brittle Lithosphere cracking

“slab pull” gravity forces

More gravitational pull on denser/cooler mantle

Seismography

Moment Movement Scale

Log scale (x10 shaking, x32 energy released)

Energy Release and Momentum of Seismic Waves

Building Techniques

Flexible Foundation

Base isolation

Counter Forces with Damping

Vibrational Control Devices

Pendulum power

Tuned dampers

Shield Buildings from Vibrations

Concrete rings

Reinforce the Building’s Structure

Shear walls

Diaphragms

Moment-resisting frames