GEOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -The location where an earthquake begins is called the epicenter. An earthquake’s most intense shaking is often felt near the epicenter. However, the vibrations from an earthquake can still be felt and detected hundreds, or even thousands of miles away from the epicenter.

Detailed explanation-2: -The area of the fault where the sudden rupture takes place is called the focus or hypocenter of the earthquake.

Detailed explanation-3: -Earthquakes are usually caused when underground rock suddenly breaks and there is rapid motion along a fault. This sudden release of energy causes the seismic waves that make the ground shake.

Detailed explanation-4: -In the process of breaking, vibrations called “seismic waves” are generated. These waves travel outward from the source of the earthquake along the surface and through the Earth at varying speeds depending on the material through which they move.

Detailed explanation-5: -The shaking experienced close to an earthquake’s epicenter is more severe because there is greater energy available to move the ground at this location. Earthquakes move as a variety of energy waves passing through the solid rock below and at the surface of the Earth.