Description:
This bulletin discusses the magnitude 7.9 earthquake that shook the islands of Tonga in May 2006. Topics include the tectonic setting of the islands, at the boundary of the Pacific and Australian plates, the frequent seismic activity at this location, how earthquakes are produced at subduction zones, and how they can reveal information about the Earth's interior. There is also information about the instruments used to study earthquakes and crustal movements, and some background information about the EarthScope Project.
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