Lëkundje

Lëkundje is the Albanian word for earthquake. It refers to the shaking of the Earth's surface resulting from the sudden release of energy in the Earth's lithosphere, creating seismic waves. These seismic waves can travel through the Earth and cause the ground to shake. Earthquakes are most commonly caused by the movement of tectonic plates, which are large segments of the Earth's crust that float on the mantle. When these plates collide, pull apart, or slide past each other, they can build up stress. When this stress exceeds the strength of the rocks, they fracture, releasing energy in the form of seismic waves.

The magnitude of an earthquake is measured using the Richter scale or the moment magnitude scale, which quantify the energy released. The intensity of an earthquake, or how strongly it is felt and the damage it causes, is often described using the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale. Albania is located in a seismically active region, specifically within the Mediterranean-Alpine belt, which is known for frequent seismic activity due to the collision of the African and Eurasian tectonic plates. Therefore, earthquakes, or lëkundje, are a natural and recurring phenomenon in Albania, and preparedness and understanding of seismic risks are important for the country's population.