The characteristics of an earthquake

"The Earth’s surface is not fixed; on the contrary, it is in constant movement. This activity is especially visible along large fractures in the Earth’s crust, known as faults. An earthquake occurs when there is a sudden fracture or movement of rocks under the Earth’s surface. This sudden rupture releases energy that has accumulated due to the movement of the Earth near these faults."

The main types of fault

The location of the deep fracture is called the focus. The vibrations released propagate around the focus in seismic waves. These waves sometimes shake the ground and can damage buildings. The earthquake is most powerful when it is perpendicular to the focus (in relation to the Earth's surface); this point is called the epicentre. 

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  Guide, explanations on french answer for earthquakes. (French) 

Earthquakes | The UWI Seismic Research Centre   Explanation on the formation of the earthquakes in the Caraibes - West Indies Universities (English)

CDEMA Earthquake  Informations on earthquakes - CDMA (English)