SOIL CHANGES

The type of soil in an area is a major factor on the amount of ground movement during an earthquake. The looser the soil the more violent the ground will shake. On the other hand, thicker or more compact soil results in less violent ground movement. Earthquake waves make the ground move, shake buildings, and cause poorly designed or weak structures to partially or totally collapse. The ground shaking weakens soils and causes dramatic changes in fine-grained soils.