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The epicenter is the location on the Earth's surface that is directly above the hypocenter (or focus) of an earthquake. The epicenter normally represents the first place where the seismic waves released from the underground earthquake rupture encounter the ground surface.
Epicenter
Epicenter
The epicenter of an earthquake is the point on the Earth's surface that is vertically above the hypocenter (or focus), (Image Source: Michael Pidwirny).
| Topics: |  Hazards & Disasters Geology |
This article has been reviewed by the following Topic Editor: Peter Saundry
Citation
U.S. Geological Survey (Lead Author);Michael Pidwirny (Contributing Author);Peter Saundry (Topic Editor) "Epicenter". In: Encyclopedia of Earth. Eds. Cutler J. Cleveland (Washington, D.C.: Environmental Information Coalition, National Council for Science and the Environment). [First published in the Encyclopedia of Earth March 12, 2011; Last revised Date December 28, 2011; Retrieved May 18, 2013 <http://www.eoearth.org/article/Epicenter>
The Author
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is the primary research arm of the Department of the Interior. As the Nation's largest water, earth, and biological science and civilian mapping agency, the USGS collects, monitors, analyzes, and provides scientific understanding about natural resource conditions, issues, and problems. The USGS serves the Nation by providing reliable scientific information to describe and understand the Earth; minimize loss of life and property from natural disasters; manage ... (Full Bio)
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