The characteristics of an earthquake

The surface of the Earth is not frozen, on the contrary, it is in constant movement. This activity is especially visible at the edge of large cracks in the earth's mantle : the faults. The earthquake is due to a fracture or a displacement brutal rocks under the surface of the Earth. This break or this move is going to release suddenly the energy accumulated by the internal movements of the Earth, in the vicinity of these faults.

The main types of fault

The location of the fracture depth is called the focus. Vibrations released spread all around the home by seismic waves. These waves are sometimes shaking the ground and can damage the structures. It is at the vertical of the household (relative to the surface of the Earth), that the earthquake is the most powerful, we call this point the epicenter. 

The classification of earthquakes according to the Richter scale

The Richter scale measures the magnitude of an earthquake, that is to say, the energy released at the focus of the earthquake.

Source : Booklet teacher-cycle 4 – Project "Pare pa Pare" – French Red Cross – 2024

For more information : 

Interactive Map – The University of The West Indies Seismic Research Centre Interactive map live earthquakes in the Caribbean – University of the West Indies 

Earthquake | Geohazards  (French) Guide, explanations, practice sheets and French schemes earthquake – Geohazard 

Earthquakes | The UWI Seismic Research Centre  (English) Explanation of the formation of earthquakes in the Caribbean University of the West Indies

CDEMA Earthquake (English) Information, preparation guide and resources on earthquakes – CDEMA