An earthquake also referred as a quake or tremor is the result of a sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust, which results in seismic waves.
What are the causes of an earthquake?
The seismicity, seismism or seismic activity of an area refers to the frequency, type and size of earthquakes experienced over a period of time.
What is epicenter of an earthquake?
An epicentre is simply the point on the surface of the earth vertically above the place of origin or hypocentre of an earthquake. This point is represented by its geographical latitude and longitude.
What is Hypocentre or Focus of an earthquake?
The point within the earth from where seismic waves originate is known as the focus of an earthquake. Focal depth is the vertical distance between the hypocentre and epicentre. Focus is simply the depth of the quake from the Earth’s surface.
What is Richter Scale?
It is the scale to ascertain the magnitude of an Earthquake and its numerical grade could be up to the first decimal.
What is magnitude of an earthquake?
The strength of an earthquake as measured on the Richter scale is the magnitude of an earthquake, which is classified into 4 categories namely:
a) Micro-earthquake - Magnitude of less than 2
b) Slight-earthquake - Magnitude of less than 5
c) Moderate earthquake - Magnitude between 5 and 6.9
d) Great earthquake – Magnitude of 7 and above
What is intensity of an earthquake?
Intensity is a subjective measure of the effect of an earthquake at a particular place on humans, structure and the land itself. Intensity at a point depends not only upon the strength of the earthquake but also on the distance from the epicenter.
Intensity grades are computed on Roman numerical from grade I (not perceptible) to XII (total destruction).
Can we predict an earthquake?
No scientific technique is available anywhere in the world so far to predict the occurrence of earthquakes with reasonable degree of accuracy with regard to space, time and magnitude.
