Earthquake in Iran

Posted by Katharine M. J. Osborne Mar 31, 2006

Recently, there have been 3 more earthquakes in Iran, in an area that is prone to them because of a seismic fault, which is a crack between two plates in the Earth's crust. The plates float on the magma, molten rock and metal, that composes the interior of the Earth. As the plates float, they rub against one another, and build up significant levels of energy on the fault lines, in the form of pressure. Eventually, one of the plates will give way, and the release of energy is the earthquake. Where people live the results can be devastating, as poorly constructed buildings topple. Areas where there is poverty are often the most affected, and these places are the least equipped to handle major disaster.