Haavereaktio

Haavereaktio, often translated as "aftershock," refers to the seismic events that follow a major earthquake. These are smaller tremors that occur in the same general area as the main rupture. Haavereaktiot are a natural consequence of the Earth's crust readjusting itself after the significant stress release caused by the initial earthquake.

The frequency and intensity of haavereaktiot typically diminish over time, although they can persist for weeks, months, or even years. The largest haavereaktio is usually quite a bit smaller than the mainshock, often by a magnitude of one or two points on the Richter scale. However, even smaller haavereaktiot can cause considerable damage, especially if structures have already been weakened by the primary earthquake.

Seismologists study haavereaktiot to understand the complex processes occurring within the Earth's crust and to better forecast seismic activity. The distribution and timing of haavereaktiot can provide valuable insights into the geometry of the fault rupture and the stress distribution in the surrounding region. Monitoring these aftershocks is crucial for disaster preparedness and for assessing the ongoing seismic hazard in an earthquake-affected area.