Earthquake

An earthquake is the sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust that creates seismic waves. These events occur when stress builds up along fault lines within the lithosphere, often due to the movement and interaction of tectonic plates. The accumulated strain eventually exceeds the frictional resistance of the rocks, causing a rapid slippage that propagates energy outward. The magnitude of an earthquake is measured using standardized scales based on the energy released at the source, while its intensity describes the effects experienced at a particular location. Understanding seismology and plate tectonics is crucial for developing hazard mitigation strategies to minimize structural damage and loss of life.