The characteristics of an earthquake

The Earth's surface is not frozen; quite the contrary, it is in constant movement. This activity is especially visible at the edges of large cracks in the Earth's mantle, known as faults. An earthquake occurs when there is a sudden fracture or shifting of rocks under the Earth's surface. This fracture suddenly releases the energy accumulated by displcement of the Earth in proximity of these faults.

The main types of fault

The location of the fracture's depth is called the hypocenter. Vibrations are released and spread throughout the area by seismic waves. These waves sometimes shake the ground and can damage structures. The point at which the earthquake is the most powerful, relative to the surface of the Earth, is called 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