How Earthquakes Shake the Ground
An earthquake is the sudden shaking of the ground caused by energy released deep inside the Earth. The Earth's hard outer layer, the crust, is broken into giant slabs called tectonic plates that slowly move and float on the hotter mantle below. At the edges where plates meet, they can get stuck while pressure keeps building. When the plates finally slip or snap, the stored energy is released and spreads outward as waves that make the ground tremble.
Understanding earthquakes helps explain why some parts of the world shake more than others — places near plate boundaries, like Japan, Indonesia and New Zealand, feel them often, while Singapore sits far from a boundary and rarely does. Scientists measure an earthquake's strength using a number called the magnitude, where a bigger number means stronger shaking.
Key ideas a learner will grasp include the Earth's three layers (crust, mantle and core), how tectonic plates store and release energy, how that energy travels as seismic waves, and the safety rule for shaking ground: Drop, Cover, and Hold On.
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What is an earthquake?🌍💥 The ground can shake! An earthquake is when the ground suddenly shakes and trembles. Sometimes it is a tiny wobble. Sometimes it is so strong that buildings sway! Singapore very rarely feels strong earthquakes, but countries near us — like Indonesia — feel them often. In this lesson you'll discover why the ground shakes and how to stay safe. 🦸 Tap Next to begin your adventure under the ground →
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Inside the EarthPeek inside the Earth Our planet is like a giant ball with layers — a bit like a peach! Tap each layer to see what it is. Crust Mantle Core Tap a layer! The Earth has three main layers. Start with the outside ring. Found 0 of 3 layers
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Cracked like a puzzleThe crust is cracked like a puzzle 🧩 The hard outside layer (the crust) is not one solid piece. It is broken into giant slabs called tectonic plates. They float very slowly on the hot, soft rock below. Plate A Plate B ↑ the line where they meet is a "fault" 💡 The plates push and rub against each other very slowly — slower than your fingernails grow! Most of the time you don't feel a thing.
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Stuck, then SNAP!Why does it shake? Build the energy! The plates get stuck at the edges. Pushing keeps storing energy — like bending a stick. When it can't hold any more… it snaps and shakes! 💥 Press and hold the button to push the plates. Watch the energy fill up, then let go to feel the quake! ⬇️ Press & hold to push
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Shaking travels in wavesThe shaking travels in waves 🌊 When the plates snap, the energy spreads out through the ground as waves — just like ripples when you drop a stone in water. These are called seismic waves. 🌊 Send a wave Reset center Watch the dots wobble one after another as the wave passes — the shake moves outward from the center!
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How big is it?Measuring how strong it is Scientists use a number called the magnitude to say how strong an earthquake is. A small number is a gentle wobble. A big number is a powerful shake! 3 magnitude Slide me! A 3 is small — most people barely notice.
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Stay safe!If the ground shakes, what should you do? The safe rule is Drop, Cover, and Hold On. Get low, hide under something sturdy like a table, and hold on until the shaking stops. Tap the safest choice: 🏃Run outside fast 🪑Drop & hide under a strong table 🛗Take the lift downstairs 🖼️Stand near a tall shelf
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You did it!🎉🌍 Hooray — you're an earthquake expert! Here's what you discovered today: ✓The Earth has layers: crust, mantle, core. ✓The crust is cracked into giant tectonic plates. ✓Plates get stuck, store energy, then snap — that's an earthquake! ✓The shaking spreads as seismic waves, like ripples in water. ✓Magnitude tells us how strong a quake is. ✓Stay safe: Drop, Cover, Hold On! ⭐ Amazing work, young scientist! ⭐
Frequently asked questions
- What causes an earthquake?
- Earthquakes happen when tectonic plates in the Earth's crust get stuck at their edges and then suddenly slip. The stored energy is released and travels through the ground as waves, making it shake.
- What are the layers inside the Earth?
- The Earth has three main layers: the crust (the thin, hard outer shell we live on), the mantle (a thick, hot layer beneath it), and the core (the very centre). It is a bit like a peach with skin, flesh and a stone.
- What does the magnitude of an earthquake mean?
- Magnitude is a number scientists use to describe how strong an earthquake is. A small number means a gentle wobble, while a big number means powerful, dangerous shaking.
- What should you do if the ground starts shaking?
- The safe rule is Drop, Cover, and Hold On. Get down low, take cover under something sturdy like a table, and hold on until the shaking stops.
- Does Singapore have earthquakes?
- Singapore sits far from the edges of tectonic plates, so it very rarely has earthquakes of its own. People here sometimes feel faint tremors from large earthquakes in nearby countries like Indonesia.
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