Overfishing Documentary. Fault Heals Surprisingly Fast After Wenchuan Earthquake. For the first time, scientists have watched the Earth heal itself after an earthquake.
The process is similar to the body repairing a cut, researchers from China and the United States report today (June 27) in the journal Science. During an earthquake, the ground tears apart along a fault, leaving a jagged series of fractures. After China's devastating magnitude 7.9 Wenchuan earthquake in 2008, fluids filled the fractured fault, like blood gushing into a wound, the team found by drilling into the fault. Within two years — a blink of the eye in geologic time — the fault was speedily knitting itself back together, closing gaps through a combination of processes. Live Science: The Most Interesting Articles, Mysteries & Discoveries. Earthquakes - KidRex.
Search Results. Earthquake. Earthquake - Yahoo Search Results. Earthquakes. National Geographic Search. Earthquake. Earthquakes 101. Earthquakes for Kids. Why Do Earthquakes Happen? Earthquakes are usually caused when rock underground suddenly breaks along a fault.
This sudden release of energy causes the seismic waves that make the ground shake. When two blocks of rock or two plates are rubbing against each other, they stick a little. They don't just slide smoothly; the rocks catch on each other. The rocks are still pushing against each other, but not moving. After a while, the rocks break because of all the pressure that's built up.