epicenter

Also known as epicentre, epicentrum

thumb|right|The epicenter is directly above the earthquake's [[hypocenter (also called the ).]]

AI overview

The epicenter is the point on Earth's surface directly above where an earthquake starts underground (a location called the hypocenter). It matters because it's typically where an earthquake causes the most damage and is the reference point scientists use to locate and study earthquakes.

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Commons category: Epicenters

Sources (3)

via Wikidata · CC0

~7 min read

Article

7 sections

Contents

Determination
Surface damage
Epicentral distance
Fault rupture
Macroseismic epicenter
Etymology
References

thumb|right|The epicenter is directly above the earthquake's [[hypocenter (also called the ).]]

The epicenter (), epicentre, or epicentrum in seismology is the point on the Earth's surface directly above a hypocenter or focus, the point where an earthquake or an underground explosion originates.