An earthquake is a natural calamity that happens when two blocks of the earth suddenly slip past one another. The surface where the blocks slip is known as the fault or fault plane. The location below the earth’s surface where the earthquake begins is known as the hypocenter, and the location directly above the Earth’s surface is called the epicentre.
Sometimes an earthquake consists of foreshocks. Foreshocks are smaller earthquakes that occur in the same region as the larger earthquake. The main earthquake is known as the mainshock. Mainshocks always consist of aftershocks that follow. These are smaller earthquakes that occur afterwards in the same region where the mainshock occurs. Depending on the size of the mainshock, aftershocks can take place for weeks, months, or even years after the mainshock takes place!
What is an Earthquake?
Are you willing to understand the causes of earthquakes and their effects on life? Then this article is for you. Learn about more such concepts like types of earthquakes, consequences of earthquakes, etc.