The focus of an earthquake, also known as the hypocenter, is the exact point inside the Earth where the earthquake originates. It is the location where the rocks first break or rupture, releasing seismic energy that generates the earthquake
. This point can be at varying depths beneath the Earth's surface, from just a few kilometers to hundreds of kilometers deep, depending on the type of earthquake (shallow-focus, intermediate, or deep-focus)
. Directly above the focus on the Earth's surface is the epicenter, which is the point where the seismic waves first reach and are often felt most strongly
. The seismic waves radiate outward in all directions from the focus, causing the ground to shake and potentially resulting in damage
. In summary:
- Focus (Hypocenter): The underground point where the earthquake starts, the initial rupture point inside the Earth.
- Epicenter: The point on the Earth's surface directly above the focus.
The depth and location of the focus influence the earthquake's effects on the surface and are crucial for understanding and measuring earthquakes
