Tsunamis are created by tectonic plates thrusting against each other and then lifting the sea floor and dropping it down, which creates a giant wave. A 2010 earthquake in Chile was caused by a shift in the seafloor. This same shift set off tsunami detection buoys and left scientists waiting for the tsunami to hit. But it ended up being small. Listen to learn more about this quake and how tsunamis are created.
Earth and Space Science Weather and Climate Physical Science Forces and Newton's Laws
Story Length: 3:40
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AIR DATE: 02/28/2010
Gravity keeps the earth, moon and sun in orbit. It keeps us on the ground instead of floating in space. And yet, it is the weakest of all the forces. This public radio story explores the velocity in rockets, the shapes of planets, the trajectories of baseballs, and even the strength of the human leg bones.
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One of the biggest earthquakes ever recorded struck recently, with minimal damage, no tsunami and it barely made the news. That’s because there are two kinds of earthquakes. This earthquake happened when two tectonic plates moved past each other horizontally, while more damaging earthquakes are caused when one plate slips beneath another. This radio story explains the two types of earthquakes and how they are gradually redefining the boundaries of the tectonic plates.
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