Earthquakes: Processes & Characteristics
Geography: Cambridge International GCSE (2027 Exams), topic 4.2.1
What is an Earthquake?
When plates move past each other, waves (vibrations) are created. There are different aspects of an earthquake:
Causes and process of earthquakes
- Earthquakes happen when tectonic plates suddenly move along faults.
- Pressure builds as plates push past, collide, or slide under each other.
- When the pressure is released, energy spreads as shock waves.
- The point underground where it starts is the focus.
- The surface point above is the epicentre.
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Epicentre
- The epicentre is the point on the Earth's crust that is directly above the centre of the earthquake.
Focus
- The focus is where the pressure is released underground and where the energy radiates out from.
- This is the place with the strongest waves that cause the most destruction.
Shock (seismic) waves
- Energy is released from the focus in shock waves (called seismic waves).
- The most damage will occur at the places where the shock waves are strongest (closest to the epicentre).
Test yourself on Earthquakes: Processes & Characteristics
What do we call the point on the Earth's crust that is directly above the centre of the earthquake?