Tectonic Forces

Earthquakes occur when accumulated stress in Earth's crust suddenly releases along fault lines. This stress builds through tectonic plate movements, with plates either pushing against, sliding past, or moving away from each other. When friction between plates prevents movement, energy stores as elastic strain until the rock breaks or slips, releasing seismic waves. Different fault types create distinct earthquake patterns and ground movements.

Wave Propagation

Seismic waves travel outward from the earthquake focus in multiple forms. Primary (P) waves compress and expand rock like sound waves, while secondary (S) waves create side-to-side motion. Surface waves, including Rayleigh and Love waves, cause complex ground movements near Earth's surface. Wave characteristics help scientists determine earthquake location, depth, and magnitude.

Damage Distribution

Earthquake damage depends on factors beyond magnitude alone. Local geology affects ground shaking intensity, with soft sediments amplifying vibrations compared to bedrock. Building design and construction quality influence structural response to seismic waves. Understanding these factors helps develop better building codes and emergency response plans for earthquake-prone regions.Shutdown123