Afghanistan Earthquake:
A 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck about 40km from the western city of Herat, Afghanistan recently.
- In Afghanistan, the death toll from strong earthquakes has risen to over 2,400 as search and rescue efforts continue amid reports that some people may be trapped under collapsed buildings.
- An earthquake is the shaking or trembling of the earth’s surface.
- It is caused by the seismic waves or earthquake waves that are generated due to a sudden movement (sudden release of energy) in the earth’s crust (shallow-focus earthquakes) or upper mantle (some shallow-focus and all intermediate and deep-focus earthquakes).
- A seismograph, or seismometer, is an instrument used to detect and record earthquakes.
- Hypocentre/Focus: The point where the energy is released.
- Epicentre: The point on the surface directly above the focus.
