LEVELED

LEVELEDREADER
BOOK • •TA
Earthquakes,
Volcanoes,
and Tsunamis
Earthquakes,
A Reading A–Z Level T Leveled Book Volcanoes,
Word Count: 1,449

and Tsunamis

•W
Q•T
Written by Elizabeth Austin

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for thousands of books and materials.
Earthquakes,
Volcanoes,
and Tsunamis

Written by Elizabeth Austin

[Link]
 Table of Contents

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Deep Within the Earth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Earthquakes: Terrible Trembling . . . . . . . . . . . 7

The Richter Scale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Volcanoes: Enormous Explosions . . . . . . . . . 11

Tsunamis: Wild Waves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Earthquakes, Volcanoes, and Tsunamis • Level T 3

 Table of Contents

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Deep Within the Earth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Earthquakes: Terrible Trembling . . . . . . . . . . . 7

The Richter Scale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Volcanoes: Enormous Explosions . . . . . . . . . 11 Smoke rises from what seems to be a peaceful volcano.

Tsunamis: Wild Waves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Introduction

Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 We usually think of the ground and the
ocean as peaceful things. The ground lies
Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
quietly beneath our feet, and the ocean laps
gently against the shore. But forces deep
within the Earth can suddenly destroy that
peacefulness. These forces cause violent
shakings called earthquakes; explosions of
ash, gases, and hot rocks called volcanoes;
and huge waves called tsunamis (tsoo-NOM-
ees). In this book, you will read about these
amazing events and the forces that cause them
to happen.

Earthquakes, Volcanoes, and Tsunamis • Level T 3 4

 Deep Within the Earth
Beneath the soil, rock, and water on the
surface of our planet, the Earth is constantly
changing. The top layer of Earth is made of
giant pieces of rock, like the pieces of a puzzle.
The pieces of rock, called plates, make up
continents and ocean floors. Where the edges
of the plates come together, there are often
cracks and gaps, called faults.

Tectonic Plates

Eurasian
Plate

North
American
Plate
Pacific
African Plate
Plate Indian
Plate
EQUATOR

Nazca Australian
Pacific Plate Plate
Plate South
American
Plate

Scotia Plate Antarctic

Plate

The dotted lines show the edges of the plates.

Earthquakes, Volcanoes, and Tsunamis • Level T 5

 Deep Within the Earth Mountains
Mountains Underneath the plates,
Beneath the soil, rock, and water on the the Earth is very hot. It
surface of our planet, the Earth is constantly is so hot that rock melts
changing. The top layer of Earth is made of into a liquid called
giant pieces of rock, like the pieces of a puzzle. magma. The plates float
The pieces of rock, called plates, make up on top of this liquid
Magma magma. The magma is
continents and ocean floors. Where the edges Fig. 1
of the plates come together, there are often always moving, dragging
cracks and gaps, called faults. the plates around with it.

At the edges of the

moving plates, three
Tectonic Plates
different things can
happen. If the plates are
moving against each
Eurasian
Plate
Magma other, one plate slides
North Fig. 2 over or under the other
American
Plate
African
Pacific plate (Fig. 1). If the plates
Plate
Plate Indian
Plate are moving past each
EQUATOR
other, the edges of the
Nazca Australian
Pacific
Plate
Plate
South
Plate plates grind together
American
Plate (Fig. 2). And if the plates
Scotia Plate Antarctic
Plate
are moving apart, they
make a gap where
Magma magma seeps out (Fig. 3).
Fig. 3
The dotted lines show the edges of the plates.

Earthquakes, Volcanoes, and Tsunamis • Level T 5 6

Earthquakes can damage or even destroy buildings.

Earthquakes: Terrible Trembling

The plates usually move very slowly.
But sometimes large pieces of the plates get
caught. The plates keep trying to move, but
these large blocks of rock hold them back. The
pressure and energy build up. Then, suddenly,
the rocks give way, releasing all that pressure
and energy. The plates jerk forward, and the
ground shakes. Far above, on the surface,
people feel an earthquake.

Earthquakes, Volcanoes, and Tsunamis • Level T 7

 In a small earthquake, the ground shakes a
little, causing some hanging objects to swing.
Tree branches sway, as if there were a gentle
breeze. Some earthquakes are so small that
we do not notice them. But sometimes the
shaking is so strong that buildings crumble,
bridges collapse, and large cracks open in the
ground over large areas.

Earthquakes can damage or even destroy buildings.

Earthquakes: Terrible Trembling

The plates usually move very slowly.
But sometimes large pieces of the plates get
caught. The plates keep trying to move, but
these large blocks of rock hold them back. The
pressure and energy build up. Then, suddenly,
the rocks give way, releasing all that pressure
and energy. The plates jerk forward, and the
ground shakes. Far above, on the surface,
people feel an earthquake. The ground here was ripped open by an earthquake.

Earthquakes, Volcanoes, and Tsunamis • Level T 7 8

 We measure
the strength of
earthquakes on an
instrument called
a seismograph
(SIZE-moh-graf).
Each earthquake
is given a number
from the Richter
(RICK-ter) scale
depending on its A seismograph
strength. You can look at the chart on the
next page to learn what the different strengths
of earthquakes feel like. For each number
on the Richter scale, an earthquake is ten
times as strong as the previous number.
A 6.0 earthquake is ten times as strong as a 5.0
earthquake. It is one hundred times as strong
as a 4.0 earthquake! The largest earthquake
ever recorded measured 9.5 on the Richter
scale. It occurred on the coast of the South
American country of Chile. Scientists are still
learning about these dangerous events. One
day, they may be able to warn people before
earthquakes occur.

Earthquakes, Volcanoes, and Tsunamis • Level T 9

 We measure
The Richter Scale
the strength of
1 People cannot feel the earthquake—only
earthquakes on an sensitive instruments can detect it.
instrument called 2 People usually do not feel it; some people
a seismograph in tall buildings may sense a slight swaying.
(SIZE-moh-graf). 3 Many people near the origin of the
earthquake notice the shaking. No damage
Each earthquake
occurs.
is given a number
4 People at the origin of the quake definitely
from the Richter feel it. Hanging objects sway. Water sloshes
(RICK-ter) scale in swimming pools. Some weak buildings may
be damaged.
depending on its A seismograph
5 Felt over a wider area. Usually lots of damage
strength. You can look at the chart on the
to weak buildings at and around center.
next page to learn what the different strengths Some damage to strong buildings.
of earthquakes feel like. For each number 6 Lots of damage to weak buildings; some
on the Richter scale, an earthquake is ten damage to strong buildings. Damage can
spread over 160 kilometers (100 mi).
times as strong as the previous number.
7 A very major earthquake. Most buildings
A 6.0 earthquake is ten times as strong as a 5.0
at the center are destroyed. Cracks form in
earthquake. It is one hundred times as strong the Earth. Underground pipes break. Large
as a 4.0 earthquake! The largest earthquake landslides can occur.
ever recorded measured 9.5 on the Richter 8 Buildings and bridges destroyed. Large cracks
appear in the ground. Large landslides.
scale. It occurred on the coast of the South
9 The ground appears to move in “waves.”
American country of Chile. Scientists are still
Entire rivers may move. Objects can be thrown
learning about these dangerous events. One into the air. Total destruction of buildings and
day, they may be able to warn people before other structures.
earthquakes occur. There is no top to the Richter scale, but the strongest earthquake
ever recorded was a 9.5.

Earthquakes, Volcanoes, and Tsunamis • Level T 9 10

 Volcanoes: Enormous Explosions
A volcano occurs wherever magma from
deep inside the Earth comes out through a
crack in the surface. Volcanoes usually happen
near the edges of the plates, where there are
many cracks and thin spots where the magma
can leak out. When the magma pours onto
the surface, it hardens, often piling up into a
mountain. Sometimes, the liquid rock flows
peacefully out across the land. This is how
many of the active volcanoes on the Hawaiian
Islands behave.

Runny liquid rock on this Hawaiian volcano flows smoothly, like

a peaceful river.

Earthquakes, Volcanoes, and Tsunamis • Level T 11

 Volcanoes: Enormous Explosions
A volcano occurs wherever magma from
Plug
deep inside the Earth comes out through a
crack in the surface. Volcanoes usually happen
near the edges of the plates, where there are
many cracks and thin spots where the magma
can leak out. When the magma pours onto
the surface, it hardens, often piling up into a
Magma
mountain. Sometimes, the liquid rock flows
Some volcanoes become Dust, ash,
peacefully out across the land. This is how plugged (left), and then they and gas
explode violently (right). Lava
many of the active volcanoes on the Hawaiian flow
Islands behave.
But sometimes, the hot magma cools before
it gets to the surface. It hardens into a solid
piece of rock, plugging up the crack or hole
where it had been seeping out. It acts like a
plug in a bottle. The magma continues to push
upward. Hot gases in the magma press
against the plug. The pressure gets greater
and greater. Suddenly, the volcano explodes.
Huge chunks of rock burst from the volcano.
Entire mountainsides can be ripped away.
Hot, poisonous gas, ash, and melted rock
shoot into the sky. The volcano erupts with
Runny liquid rock on this Hawaiian volcano flows smoothly, like
a peaceful river. unbelievable power.

Earthquakes, Volcanoes, and Tsunamis • Level T 11 12

 Many dangerous and destructive things
happen during volcanic eruptions. When
mountains explode, they send tons of rock
rolling down
their sides. These
falling rocks are
called landslides.
Landslides can
bury whole cities.
They can block
rivers, causing Mount St. Helens, in Washington
floods. Clouds of State, before it erupted in 1980
ash and dust rise into the air during volcanic
eruptions. The ash falls to the ground like
snow. The ash is
so heavy that the
roofs of houses can
collapse under its
weight. An ash
cloud can spread all
around the world.
Large ash clouds
Mount St. Helens after it erupted can even block out
sunlight. The temperature of the entire Earth
can cool down after a large volcanic eruption.

Earthquakes, Volcanoes, and Tsunamis • Level T 13

 Many dangerous and destructive things
happen during volcanic eruptions. When
mountains explode, they send tons of rock
rolling down
their sides. These
falling rocks are
called landslides.
Landslides can
bury whole cities.
They can block
rivers, causing Mount St. Helens, in Washington
floods. Clouds of State, before it erupted in 1980
ash and dust rise into the air during volcanic
eruptions. The ash falls to the ground like
snow. The ash is These trees were blown over by the explosion of Mount St. Helens.

so heavy that the

roofs of houses can A volcano can cause an explosion of
collapse under its extremely hot, poisonous gases. The explosion
weight. An ash can be so powerful that it knocks over entire
cloud can spread all forests, and so hot that it starts destructive
around the world. fires. Some large volcanoes have snow and ice
Large ash clouds on top. The hot gases melt all the snow and
Mount St. Helens after it erupted can even block out ice at once, and the water rushes down the
sunlight. The temperature of the entire Earth mountain. This large, dirt-filled flood is called
can cool down after a large volcanic eruption. a mudslide. A mudslide is like a liquid
landslide.

Earthquakes, Volcanoes, and Tsunamis • Level T 13 14

 Scientists are not yet able to predict when
earthquakes will happen. But fortunately they
have gotten very good at predicting when
a large volcano is about to erupt. In 1991,
scientists warned the people living around a
volcano in the country of the Philippines that
the volcano was about to erupt. Many people
left the area and found safety before the huge
volcano erupted.

Scientists gather information from a volcanic fissure.

Earthquakes, Volcanoes, and Tsunamis • Level T 15

 Scientists are not yet able to predict when
earthquakes will happen. But fortunately they
have gotten very good at predicting when
a large volcano is about to erupt. In 1991,
scientists warned the people living around a
volcano in the country of the Philippines that
the volcano was about to erupt. Many people
left the area and found safety before the huge
volcano erupted.

Tsunamis are the largest waves in the world.

Tsunamis: Wild Waves

Tsunamis are huge waves caused by
earthquakes or volcanoes. They used to be
called “tidal waves.” But the word “tidal”
means something to do with the ocean’s
normal tides, and tsunamis have nothing to
do with the tides. Tsunamis can be as high as
a football field is long. They are the largest
Scientists gather information from a volcanic fissure. waves in the world.

Earthquakes, Volcanoes, and Tsunamis • Level T 15 16

 The edges of the plates, where earthquakes
and volcanoes often occur, usually lie near
the edges of the oceans. The shaking of an
earthquake or the explosion of a volcano
can cause large landslides. Entire hills can
collapse, and sometimes they fall into the
sea and make huge waves. Earthquakes and
volcanoes can also be found under the sea.
Underwater earthquakes cause the sea floor
to move violently. Undersea volcanoes cause
explosions under the water. Both of these
events create huge waves that spread across
the surface of the ocean.

Steam rises from a volcano near the sea.

Earthquakes, Volcanoes, and Tsunamis • Level T 17

 The edges of the plates, where earthquakes Tsunamis speed outward away from their
and volcanoes often occur, usually lie near source in all directions. A tsunami can cross an
the edges of the oceans. The shaking of an entire ocean. Tsunamis travel extremely fast—
earthquake or the explosion of a volcano up to 320 kilometers per hour (200 mph).
can cause large landslides. Entire hills can
In the open ocean, tsunamis may not be
collapse, and sometimes they fall into the
very high above the surface of the water, but
sea and make huge waves. Earthquakes and
they are very deep. As tsunamis approach
volcanoes can also be found under the sea.
land and move into shallow water, the
Underwater earthquakes cause the sea floor
elevated ocean floor pushes the wave upward.
to move violently. Undersea volcanoes cause
The wave slows to about 70 kilometers per
explosions under the water. Both of these
hour (45 mph), but the ocean floor lifts it
events create huge waves that spread across
higher and higher. By the time a tsunami
the surface of the ocean.
reaches land, it is tall enough to destroy
almost anything in its path.

When a Tsunami Wave Reaches Shore

10 to 100 feet high

Shore
Tsunami
near
shore

Tsunami in open ocean

with most of the wave
below the surface

Steam rises from a volcano near the sea. When tsunamis approach the shore, they break as giant waves.

Earthquakes, Volcanoes, and Tsunamis • Level T 17 18

Damage from a tsunami

The largest tsunami ever recorded

happened when an earthquake caused a
landslide along the coast of Alaska. But this
wave was in a very small bay, only a short
distance from the landslide that caused it.
Most tsunamis are between one and ten
stories high when they reach the shore. That
might not sound very high, but it is hard
to imagine the power of this much moving
water. Most coastal towns and villages are
much less than 30 meters (100 ft) above the
sea. Even a small tsunami can destroy houses,
streets, and entire towns. A tsunami caused
by a volcano in Indonesia killed 36,000 people
in 1883.

Earthquakes, Volcanoes, and Tsunamis • Level T 19

 Like volcanoes, tsunamis are becoming
easier to predict. They usually do not hit the
shore until a few minutes to a few hours after
the earthquake or volcano that causes them.
Scientists have instruments that detect
volcanoes and earthquakes. When a large one
happens, scientists have time to warn people
that a tsunami may be coming. Unfortunately,
the system cannot warn people in time to save
Damage from a tsunami their homes or belongings. But they do have
time to save their lives, which is the most
The largest tsunami ever recorded important thing.
happened when an earthquake caused a
landslide along the coast of Alaska. But this
wave was in a very small bay, only a short
distance from the landslide that caused it.
Most tsunamis are between one and ten
stories high when they reach the shore. That
might not sound very high, but it is hard
to imagine the power of this much moving
water. Most coastal towns and villages are
much less than 30 meters (100 ft) above the
sea. Even a small tsunami can destroy houses,
streets, and entire towns. A tsunami caused
by a volcano in Indonesia killed 36,000 people
in 1883. Many people describe tsunamis as “walls of water.”

Earthquakes, Volcanoes, and Tsunamis • Level T 19 20

An earthquake destroyed this building.

Conclusion
Our quiet planet occasionally turns violent.
During a large earthquake, the ground
shakes, destroying homes and property. In
an explosive volcanic eruption, liquid rock,
poisonous gases, ash, and landslides can bury
cities. And tsunamis can cause billions of
dollars in damage along coastlines. Scientists
are trying to learn as much as they can about
these violent events. As they learn more,
scientists can predict volcanoes, earthquakes,
and tsunamis in order to save thousands
of lives.

Earthquakes, Volcanoes, and Tsunamis • Level T 21

 Glossary
earthquake (n.) the shaking of Earth’s crust
caused by underground
vibrations (p. 4)

faults (n.) cracks in Earth’s crust along

which movement occurs (p. 5)

landslides (n.) moving masses of soil and rock

that flow down slopes (p. 13)

magma (n.) melted, liquid rock beneath the

An earthquake destroyed this building. Earth’s surface (p. 6)

mudslide (n.) a dirt- and debris-filled flood

Conclusion
of water (p. 14)
Our quiet planet occasionally turns violent.
During a large earthquake, the ground plates (n.) large sheets of rock that make

shakes, destroying homes and property. In up the Earth’s crust (p. 5)

an explosive volcanic eruption, liquid rock, Richter scale (n.) the scale that measures the
poisonous gases, ash, and landslides can bury strength of earthquakes (p. 9)
cities. And tsunamis can cause billions of
tsunamis (n.) enormous ocean waves caused
dollars in damage along coastlines. Scientists
by underwater, earthquakes,
are trying to learn as much as they can about
landslides, or volcanoes (p. 4)
these violent events. As they learn more,
scientists can predict volcanoes, earthquakes, volcanoes (n.) places on the Earth’s surface
and tsunamis in order to save thousands where gases, ash, and lava
of lives. spew onto the surface (p. 4)

Earthquakes, Volcanoes, and Tsunamis • Level T 21 22

 LEVELED
LEVELEDREADER
BOOK • •TA
Earthquakes,
Volcanoes,
and Tsunamis
Earthquakes,
A Reading A–Z Level T Leveled Book Volcanoes,
Word Count: 1,449

and Tsunamis

•W
Q•T
Written by Elizabeth Austin

Visit [Link] [Link]

for thousands of books and materials.
Earthquakes,
Photo Credits:
Front cover, page 4: © Photodisc/Getty Images; back cover, title page, pages
7, 13 (all), 14, 17, 21: © ArtToday; page 8: courtesy of Library of Congress,
Prints & Photographs Division [LC-USZ62-55720]; page 9: © Boris Grdanoski/AP

Volcanoes,
Images; page 11: © StockTrek/Photodisc/GettyImages; 15: © Roger Ressmeyer/
Corbis; page 16: © Marshall Myrman/Corbis; page 19: © Harry Yeh, University
of Washington; page 20: © Eric Skitzi/AP Images

and Tsunamis

Written by Elizabeth Austin Earthquakes, Volcanoes, and Tsunamis

Level T Leveled Book Correlation
© Learning A–Z
Written by Elizabeth Austin
LEVEL T
Fountas & Pinnell P
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