
Earthquake | Definition, Causes, Effects, & Facts | Britannica
5 days ago · Earthquake, any sudden shaking of the ground caused by the passage of seismic waves through Earth’s rocks. Earthquakes occur most often along geologic faults, narrow …
Earthquake - Wikipedia
In its most general sense, an earthquake is any seismic event—whether natural or caused by humans—that generates seismic waves. Earthquakes are caused mostly by the rupture of …
What Causes Earthquakes? What Is an Earthquake?
May 6, 2025 · Key Points About Earthquakes An earthquake is a sudden shaking of the Earth’s surface caused by a release of energy. Most earthquakes result from tectonic activity, …
The Science of Earthquakes | U.S. Geological Survey - USGS.gov
Scientists can’t tell that an earthquake is a foreshock until the larger earthquake happens. The largest, main earthquake is called the mainshock. Mainshocks always have aftershocks that …
What is an Earthquake? Understanding the Shaking Ground …
Apr 1, 2025 · An earthquake is one of nature’s most powerful and destructive forces, shaking the Earth’s surface with a tremendous force that can level cities, cause tsunamis, and change the …
What Is an Earthquake? | NASA Space Place – NASA Science for …
Sep 25, 2025 · What Is an Earthquake? An earthquake is an intense shaking of Earth’s surface. The shaking is caused by movements in Earth’s outermost layer. Why Do Earthquakes …
What is an earthquake | Earth Observatory of Singapore, NTU
An earthquake is the sudden release of strain accumulated for years and even centuries in the Earth’s crust. Slowly moving tectonic plates cause the strain to build up over time. When the …
What is a earthquake? - The Institute for Environmental Research …
Jun 16, 2025 · An earthquake is a sudden and violent shaking of the ground, caused by the passage of seismic waves through the Earth’s crust. These waves are generated when energy …
What is an Earthquake? Understanding What Causes Earthquakes …
Earthquakes can be broadly categorized into two main types: natural earthquakes and induced earthquakes. Understanding the distinctions between these two categories is crucial for …
Earthquake - National Geographic Society
Earthquakes are more common in some parts of the world than others, because some places, like the U.S. state of California, sit on top of the meeting point, or fault, of two plates. When those …