Explanation writing

This week we have been working on explanatory sentences. Explantory sentences are where you explain something. First we had to pick a topic I chose what causes earthquakes. We had to write 3 paragraphs an introduction and conclusion. Before we did this we had to pick some household appliances so we know how to write them.

What causes Earthquakes 

  -Introduction

An earthquake is a violent shaking of the ground that causes damage or for structures to fall down. Earthquakes are mainly caused by the tectonic plates underground moving or even crashing together. Earthquakes are also caused by the geologic faults or even movement of magma in volcanic areas.

-How earthquakes start.

Earthquakes are caused by the tectonic plates moving in different directions, different speeds or sometimes even crashing together. When this happens it usually means it's an earthquake. Radioactive processes within earth's interior mostly causes the tectonic plates to move

-Magnitude

Magnitude is what measurement is used to determine how strong an earthquake is. Earthquakes are usually around 2-8 magnitude. If your earthquake is 8 magnitude it would be very strong and cause heavy damage. If your earthquake is 2 magnitude it would be barely felt and minor damage. 

-How long they last

An earthquake typically only occurs for around 10-30 seconds although the longest earthquake has been around 8-10 minutes. The world's longest earthquake was on the 22nd of May 1960. The earthquake was 9.5 magnitude which is also one of the worlds strongest earthquake. This earthquake was in Valdivia, Chile. The earthquake had caused a tsunami which altogether killed an estimated 5,700 people. The biggest earthquake in New Zeland was in Wairarapa it was in 1855 and it was 8.2 magnitude. The second biggest magnitude earthquake in New Zeland was 7.8 they were recorded in Dusky Sound, Murchison, and Hawkes Bay and Kaikoura.

-Conclusion 

In conclusion an earthquake starts by the tectonic plates moving underground. Earthquakes usually occur for around 10-30 seconds but in 1960 an earthquake lasted for 8-10 which killed 5,700 people. Earthquakes can happen in any kind of weather but if it's raining and your near water there will likely be a tsunami.