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Features of an Earthquake

Geography: Edexcel IGCSE, topic 1.4.2

Features of Earthquakes

When plates move past each other, waves (vibrations) are created. There are different aspects of an earthquake:

Epicentre

Epicentre

  • The epicentre is the point on the Earth's crust that is directly above the centre of the earthquake.
Focus

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

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 Features of an Earthquake

  • What do we call the point on the Earth's crust that is directly above the centre of the earthquake?

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