An earthquake is the shaking of the earth and it is a natural event. Most earthquakes occur in the lithosphere, and they are caused due to energy releases that trigger waves that travel in all directions of the earth. 

The vibrations caused because of earthquakes are called seismic waves and they travel through the earth and are recorded on instruments called seismographs. There are different types of earthquakes. 

 The most common form of earthquake is a tectonic earthquake. They are caused by the movement of loose fragmented pieces of land on the earth’s crust that is called tectonic plates. 

Volcanic earthquakes are earthquakes that happen before or after the eruption of a volcano. The earthquake is caused when the magma that leaves the volcano is filled with rocks that are being pushed to the surface. 

Collapse earthquakes are rare phenomena that occur in underground mines. These earthquakes are caused due to the pressure generated within the rocks. 

 Explosion earthquakes are artificial earthquakes. A high-density explosion like a nuclear explosion or bombing happening at the construction site can cause slight shockwaves and tremors on the earth. 

What are the causes of earthquakes? 

 Earthquakes are caused due to the tectonic movements of the earth. The energy waves travel in all directions and the point where energy is released is called the focus of the hypocenter, and the point that is vertically above the focus is called the epicenter. This is the first place to experience the waves that travel along. 

How is an earthquake measured? 

The earthquakes are not consistent, they happen in different intensities and magnitudes. The instrument used for the vibrations is known as seismography. One of the popular scales used to measure the magnitude of an earthquake is the Richter scale, which is expressed in absolute numbers of 0-10. 

Another scale used to measure the intensity of an earthquake is the Mercalli scale. It measures the visible damage caused due to the earthquake. The Mercalli scale is expressed in the range of 1-12. 

Earthquakes can cause heavy damage to life and the property of people. They can strike any location at any time, and sometimes they occur in the general patterns year after year.

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