Transcript UK earthquake - Snapshot Science

Starter
UK
Haiti
New
Zealand
Should we be worried about
earthquakes in the UK?
© Snapshot Science, 2010
Image: USGS
Activity
The pressure of the
African plate pushing
against the Eurasian
plate has formed
cracks in the crust
called fault-lines.
Every now and then
tension is released –
this causes an
earthquake.
The UK experiences
hundreds of small
earthquakes every
year.
But what about larger earthquakes?
© Snapshot Science, 2010
Image: British Geological Survey
Activity
These statements were taken from newspaper
articles.
Discuss each one. Do you agree?
Britain is not close enough to any tectonic plate
boundaries for a large earthquake.
Britain is overdue a killer earthquake.
It is impossible to predict when the next one will
hit the UK.
The 1580 quake killed two people and a similar
strength jolt would claim "more than 100" lives
today.
© Snapshot Science, 2010
Image: British Geological Survey