How an earthquake and a tsunami happen

Process map by Brian. 24 steps, 2 layers. Tags: science, earth.

1. Tectonic plates: Plates creep past each other at about 5 cm a year
2. The fault: Friction locks the fault and stress builds for decades
3. The fault: Stress bigger than the friction holding the rock?
4. The fault: The rock suddenly ruptures: the earthquake
5. Seismic waves: Seismic waves spread out
6. People and sensors: Sensors detect the fast P waves first
7. People and sensors: Early warning goes out seconds before the shaking
8. The fault: Was it under the sea with vertical motion?
9. The ocean: The seafloor jerks up, lifting the whole column of water
10. The ocean: A tsunami races across the ocean at jet speed
11. People and sensors: Warnings go out and people move uphill
12. Tectonic plates: Aftershocks as the crust readjusts
13. People and sensors: Shaking damages buildings: inspect structures

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