Haiti: Physics of Quakes Past, and Future
Thursday, February 4, 2010 - 07:21
in Earth & Climate
(PhysOrg.com) -- The earthquake that struck Haiti took place along what is called a strike-slip fault -- a place where tectonic plates on each side of a fault line are moving horizontally in opposite directions, like hands rubbing together. When these plates lock together, stress builds; eventually they slip; and this produces shaking.