The location below the earth’s surface where the earthquake starts is called the hypocenter, and the location directly above it on the surface of the earth is called the epicenter. ... These are smaller earthquakes that occur afterwards in the same place as the mainshock.
What is focus and epicenter of an earthquake?
The focus is the place inside Earth’s crust where an earthquake originates . The point on the Earth’s surface directly above the focus is the epicenter. When energy is released at the focus, seismic waves travel outward from that point in all directions.
Where is the epicenter of the earthquake answer?
The epicenter is directly above the earthquake’s hypocenter (also called the focus).
What is the importance of knowing the earthquake epicenter?
Answer: The main importance in determining the epicentre is so that the fault that ruptured causing the earthquake can be identified . ... If the fault is previously unknown (such as the 2010 Canterbury earthquake), then it is important because it means that the hazard models for the area need improvement.
What event causes an earthquake?
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.
Is the epicenter the strongest part of an earthquake?
The location inside the Earth where an earthquake begins is called the focus (or hypocenter) of the earthquake. The point at the Earth’s surface directly above the focus is called the epicenter of the earthquake. At the epicenter, the strongest shaking occurs during an earthquake .
What is intensity of earthquake?
The effect of an earthquake on the Earth’s surface is called the intensity. ... The Modified Mercalli Intensity value assigned to a specific site after an earthquake has a more meaningful measure of severity to the nonscientist than the magnitude because intensity refers to the effects actually experienced at that place .
What is the difference between earthquakes and aftershocks?
The difference is in the intensity of the quake . The initial quake always has the greatest power, or magnitude, as defined by the Richter scale. Aftershocks are smaller quakes that then occur in the general area after the main quake.
What is the physical characteristics of earthquake epicenter?
The epicenter is the point on the land surface that is directly above the focus (Figure below). In the vertical cross section of crust, there are two features labeled – the focus and the epicenter, which is directly above the focus.
What are the 3 main causes of earthquakes?
- Volcanic Eruptions. The main cause of the earthquake is volcanic eruptions.
- Tectonic Movements. The surface of the earth consists of some plates, comprising of the upper mantle. ...
- Geological Faults. ...
- Man-Made. ...
- Minor Causes.
What are the 10 causes of earthquake?
- Groundwater extraction – decrease in pore pressure.
- Groundwater – increase in pore pressure.
- Heavy rain.
- Pore fluid flow.
- High CO2 pressure.
- Building dams.
- Earthquakes.
- No earthquakes (Seismic quiescence)
What are the 4 types of earthquakes?
There are four different types of earthquakes: tectonic, volcanic, collapse and explosion . A tectonic earthquake is one that occurs when the earth’s crust breaks due to geological forces on rocks and adjoining plates that cause physical and chemical changes.
How bad is a 7.0 earthquake?
Intensity 7: Very strong — Damage negligible in buildings of good design and construction; slight to moderate in well-built ordinary structures; considerable damage in poorly built or badly designed structures; some chimneys broken.
Is a 4.5 earthquake strong?
Events with magnitudes greater than 4.5 are strong enough to be recorded by a seismograph anywhere in the world , so long as its sensors are not located in the earthquake’s shadow. The following describes the typical effects of earthquakes of various magnitudes near the epicenter. ... Recorded by seismographs.
Is a 10.0 earthquake possible?
No, earthquakes of magnitude 10 or larger cannot happen . The magnitude of an earthquake is related to the length of the fault on which it occurs. ... The largest earthquake ever recorded was a magnitude 9.5 on May 22, 1960 in Chile on a fault that is almost 1,000 miles long...a “megaquake” in its own right.
What is the highest intensity of earthquake?
| Mag Alternative Name | 1. 9.5 Valdivia Earthquake | 2. 9.2 1964 Great Alaska Earthquake, Prince William Sound Earthquake, Good Friday Earthquake | 3. 9.1 Sumatra-Andaman Islands Earthquake, 2004 Sumatra Earthquake and Tsunami, Indian Ocean Earthquake | 4. 9.1 Tohoku Earthquake |
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