epitsentri

Epitsentri, commonly referred to in English as the epicenter, is the point on the Earth’s surface located directly above the earthquake’s hypocenter, the location within the crust where the earthquake originates. The epitsentri is the surface location used in maps and reports to indicate where the shaking is felt most strongly. The hypocenter lies underground at a certain depth, while the epitsentri is its surface projection.

Location is determined from seismic data recorded by networks of seismometers. By measuring the arrival times of seismic waves, especially P-waves and S-waves, scientists estimate the distances from several stations to the earthquake source. Using triangulation, the intersection of these distance estimates yields the epicenter, while the depth of the hypocenter is inferred through waveform analysis and modeling.

The epicenter is given by its latitude and longitude, and the hypocenter depth is reported separately. Modern seismic networks can determine epicenters to within a few kilometers, depending on station density and signal quality. The epitsentri serves as a convenient reference for communication and hazard assessment, but the location of maximum ground shaking can differ from the epicenter due to rupture dynamics, fault geometry, and local geological conditions.

The term derives from Greek: epi (upon) and kentron (center).