Or look for news about the ongoing subglacial eruption in Iceland. Contrary to depictions in film and folklore, deaths and injuries caused by earthquakes are not related to the opening of great chasms in the earth. Instead, most injuries are related to the collapse of buildings due to ground shaking. These vibrations travel as waves outward in all directions from the focus. There are three main types of seismic wave energy generated by earthquakes, and each travels through the earth at a different speed.
Surface waves are still slower but are associated with the greatest ground shaking.
Locating earthquake epicenters Determine the epicenter of the earthquake assigned to your group, following the instructions below. Discuss your results with the other groups. A B C E. Earthquakes on the web . Visit one of the following web sites and record at least one earthquake-related fact that is new to you. The recording lists all earthquakes of magnitude 5 and greater that have occurred around the world in the past 24 hours.