maavärinast

Maavärinast, or earthquake in Estonian, refers to the sudden shaking of the Earth's surface. This phenomenon is primarily caused by the rapid release of energy in the Earth's lithosphere, which creates seismic waves. The most common cause of this energy release is the movement of tectonic plates, the large, rigid slabs of rock that make up the Earth's outer shell. When these plates collide, slide past each other, or pull apart, stress builds up along their boundaries, known as fault lines. Eventually, this stress overcomes the friction holding the rocks together, causing them to break or slip, generating seismic waves that travel outwards from the point of rupture, called the hypocenter.

The intensity of a maavärinast is measured using seismographs, which record the ground motion. The magnitude is typically expressed on the Richter scale or the moment magnitude scale, with higher numbers indicating stronger earthquakes. The effects of a maavärinast can range from barely perceptible tremors to devastating ground shaking, which can lead to widespread destruction of buildings and infrastructure, landslides, and tsunamis if the earthquake occurs beneath the ocean. While earthquakes are a natural geological process, their impact can be significantly mitigated through proper building codes, early warning systems, and public preparedness. Estonia itself is located in a seismically stable region, and significant maavärinast events are rare.