Epicenter

The epicenter of an earthquake is the point of the Earth surface that corresponds to the projection of the hypocenter, that is to say, the place of the ground surface that is over this one. Usually it is the place more devastated by the earthquake and, erroneously, usually is identified it with the origin of the same, that really usually is underneath, in the center.

What is an earthquake or earthquake?

An earthquake happens when stored energy in long periods of time as a result of forces of the tectonic Earth boards is freed quickly. The majority of earthquakes happens in the faults that are in the 25 miles superiors of the Earth surface when a sudden side and quickly moves to the other side of the fault.

The epicenter of the earthquake is the place of the Earth surface that is exactly above of the site where a tremor begins (hypocenter); from that place the vibrations or movements are issued. In first approach, the epicenter usually agrees with the place of greater seismic intensity: the more close one is of the epicenter, the more hard will feel like the tremor and the more damages can be produced. The strong seismic waves can travel long distances and cause enormous damages. But still the more tenuous seismic waves can travel far and be detected by scientific instruments called seismographs.

Every year there are thousands of earthquakes that can be felt by the human beings, and near a million that is sufficiently strong to be registered by measuring instruments. The majority of the earthquakes lasts seconds, although they can get to surpass the minute. The famous earthquake of San Francisco lasted 40 seconds, whereas the one of Alaska in 1964 lasted more than 3 seconds. Usually it also happens that the main earthquake they follow others to him of smaller intensity, known like retorts.

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