An earthquake, the result of a sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust, can be due to either a natural phenomenon or human activity. This energy release creates seismic waves reading from 1 – 10 on the Richter scale. Those with a magnitude reading of 3 or lower are almost unnoticeable. Earthquakes that reach a magnitude of 7 generally cause serious damage over large areas. Earthquakes are recognizable by the shaking and movement of the ground which can also trigger landslides, volcanic activity and tsunamis.
Large earthquakes cause many serious problems to the surrounding land and its inhabitants. They can result in disease, the loss of basic necessities (such as food, water, shelter, warmth) an increase in insurance premiums due to destruction of property, roads, bridges, etc., the collapse or destabilization of buildings, and worst of all, the loss of human, animal and plant life.
