
Earthquake - Wikipedia
In its most general sense, the word earthquake is used to describe any seismic event that generates seismic waves. Earthquakes can occur naturally or be induced by human activities, …
Earthquake | Definition, Causes, Effects, & Facts | Britannica
Jan 2, 2026 · 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 …
The Science of Earthquakes | U.S. Geological Survey
A short wiggly line that doesn’t wiggle very much means a small earthquake, and a long wiggly line that wiggles a lot means a large earthquake. The length of the wiggle depends on the size …
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? 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 …
EARTHQUAKE Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster
The meaning of EARTHQUAKE is a shaking or trembling of the earth that is volcanic or tectonic in origin. How to use earthquake in a sentence.
EARTHQUAKE Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com
Earthquakes are caused by the release of built-up stress within rocks along geologic faults or by the movement of magma in volcanic areas. They are usually followed by aftershocks.
EARTHQUAKE | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary
Add to word list earth science a sudden, violent movement of the earth’s surface, often causing damage and sometimes deaths (Definition of earthquake from the Cambridge Academic …
Earthquakes & Seismicity: How the Earth Breaks, Moves, and …
Mar 11, 2019 · An earthquake is defined as the shaking of the surface of the Earth resulting from a sudden release of energy in the Earth’s lithosphere that creates seismic waves. This release …
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 …