Hypocenter

The hypocenter (or focus) is the point beneath the ground surface where an earthquake rupture occurs. Above the hypocenter on the Earth's surface is the epicenter. (Image Source: Michael Pidwirny).

Published: March 12, 2011, 12:00 am

Updated: December 28, 2011, 1:01 pm

Topics:

Geology (main) Hazards & Disasters (main)

The hypocenter (or focus) of an earthquake is the point within the earth where an earthquake rupture occurs. Energy released by the rupture travels away from the hypocenter in the form of seismic waves that cause the Earth's rock interior, surface sediments, and surface to shake and deform through compression and expansion. The epicenter is the point directly above the hypocenter on the surface of the Earth.

Citation

Survey, U. (2011). Hypocenter. Retrieved from http://editors.eol.org/eoearth/wiki/hypocenter