Difference Between Earthquake Focus and the Epicenter

There is a lot of terminology that can confuse geographic enthusiast. Focus, Hypocenter, Epicenter? What does that exactly mean? When we spoke about seismic waves we mentioned that they originate from different areas. The point of which the wave originates is what we call the Earthquake focus (foci plural). It is also known as the Hypocenter. These foci of natural earthquakes are found at different depths below the ground surface. There are three levels, Shallow at 10-100 km below, Intermediate 70-300 km and Deep foci at 300 km or below.

Shallow earthquakes create the most damage and 3/4 of total energy released of earthquakes in the world. They unlike intermediate and deep focus earthquakes, shallow earthquakes occur at all type of plate boundaries like ocean trenches, subduction zones, etc.

So what is the epicenter of an earthquake, we always hear that. “The epicenter of the quake.” The point on the ground surface directly above the focus is known as the epicenter .

There is also another amazing geographical phenomenon that occurs. It is a major tectonic feature related to foci and it is called the Wadati Benioff (dipping seismic) zone. This is a narrow zone, that dips under the Earth’s crust to depths of up to 700 km. It is a deep foci that generally occurs in Island arcs and deep ocean trenches.

source

About Rashid Faridi

I am Rashid Aziz Faridi ,Writer, Teacher and a Voracious Reader.oss Za

View all posts by Rashid Faridi →

10 Responses to Difference Between Earthquake Focus and the Epicenter

Stephanie Danielson says:

April 10, 2009 at 11:44 pm

Rashid–

Thanks so much for the great information on focus and epicenter! I am citing some some of your tidbits in my Geology Lab class Discussion @ Grand Canyon University where I study under Wael Hassinan.

Stephanie

LikeLike

Talal says:

August 19, 2009 at 4:06 pm

Thanks Rashid for the differences between the two terms. This helped me out alot with my notes…

LikeLike

arirang says:

December 8, 2009 at 4:59 pm

THANKS RASHID….
😀

THIS IS SUCH A GREAT HELP FOR MY HOMEWORK….

LikeLike

tay says:

January 21, 2010 at 6:05 am

THANKS RASHID
🙂
THIS HELPED A LOT WITH MY SCIENCE PRODJECT…..

LikeLike

GOPI says:

January 27, 2010 at 2:33 pm

THANKS A LOT.IT HELPED ME UNDERSTANDING ABOUT EARTHQUAKE.

LikeLike

Caitlin says:

June 3, 2010 at 11:41 pm

THANKS RASHID!

YOU REALLY HELPED ME!!!!! 🙂 THANKS

HAVE A GOOD DAY

LikeLike

- Rashid Faridi says:
  
  June 3, 2010 at 11:56 pm
  
  @Caitlin
  Thanks and Welcome.
  
  LikeLike
  
jasmin says:

September 14, 2010 at 2:37 pm

umm, can someone please explain it too me.
i dont get it

LikeLike

angelica says:

November 29, 2011 at 10:27 am

middleton
thanks for the informtion that you presented it help me a lot

LikeLike

sean says:

September 14, 2016 at 5:19 am

Great, it’s a good education page. Thanks for sharing.

LikeLike