hipocenters

A hypocenter, also known as an earthquake's focus, is the point within the Earth where an earthquake originates. It is the location where the rock rupture begins, releasing stored elastic strain energy. This energy propagates outward in all directions as seismic waves. The depth of the hypocenter from the Earth's surface is a significant factor in earthquake characteristics. Shallow earthquakes, with hypocenters less than 70 kilometers deep, tend to cause more surface damage because the seismic waves have less distance to attenuate. Deeper earthquakes, while still powerful, can be felt over a wider area but with less intensity at the surface.

The term hypocenter is distinct from the epicenter, which is the point on the Earth's surface directly above the hypocenter. Seismologists use seismic wave data recorded at various monitoring stations around the globe to triangulate and determine the precise location of the hypocenter. Understanding the hypocenter's position is crucial for earthquake hazard assessment, allowing scientists to better predict potential ground shaking and its associated risks. The depth and location of the hypocenter are key parameters used in earthquake catalogs and scientific studies.