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FOR KIDS: Earth’s big breakup
Powerful motions beneath the Indian Ocean unleashed a series of earthquakes near Sumatra
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Powerful motions beneath the Indian Ocean unleashed a series of earthquakes near Sumatra

By Stephen Ornes

Web edition: October 16, 2012

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The shaded area shows where the Indo-Australian tectonic plate is breaking apart. The fracture caused powerful, deadly earthquakes locally and smaller quakes further away.
Keith Koper

In April, a powerful earthquake shook Sumatra, an island in the Indian Ocean that’s part of the country of Indonesia. Two hours later, a second earthquake — one nearly as powerful — hit the same region. This one-two punch had a big reach: It set off additional quakes as far away as Mexico.

Visit the new Science News for Kids website and read the full story: Earth’s big breakup

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A. Witze. Intraplate quakes signal tectonic breakup. Science News, Vol. 182, October 20, 2012, p. 5. Available online: [Go to]

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