Phenomena
Earthquake
Seismology
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An earthquake, also called a quake, tremor or temblor, is the shaking of the Earth's surface caused by a sudden release of energy in the lithosphere that generates seismic waves. Earthquakes range in intensity from tremors too weak to feel to violent events that can propel objects and people into the air, damage infrastructure and destroy entire cities. The seismic activity of a given area describes the frequency, type and size of the earthquakes it experiences over time, while its seismicity is the average rate of seismic energy released per unit volume there.
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Associated With
The 1906 San Francisco earthquake is one of the most consequential earthquakes in United States history.
The 1960 Valdivia earthquake is the most powerful earthquake ever instrumentally recorded.
The East African Rift is an actively extending continental rift with ongoing seismic activity.
The San Andreas Fault is a major active transform boundary and a textbook earthquake-generating structure.
Caused By
Most earthquakes occur along plate boundaries where tectonic stress is released as fault rupture.
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