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 →
Our planet is like a giant ball with layers — a bit like a peach! Tap each layer to see what it is.
The Earth has three main layers. Start with the outside ring.
Found 0 of 3 layers
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.
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!
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.
Watch the dots wobble one after another as the wave passes — the shake moves outward from the center!
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!
Slide me! A 3 is small — most people barely notice.
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:
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⭐ Amazing work, young scientist! ⭐