Glossary
Aftershock
An aftershock is a smaller earthquake that follows a large one in the same area. The crust readjusts around the fault that has just ruptured. Aftershocks are numerous in the first days and then become less frequent over months, sometimes years.
The largest aftershock is often about one magnitude unit smaller than the main shock. It can cause new damage to buildings already weakened.
Examples on the Map
Other Definitions
- Tectonic Plate
- Subduction
- Mid-Ocean Ridge
- Transform Fault
- Fault
- Earthquake, Epicentre and Hypocentre
- Magnitude
- Intensity (Mercalli Scale)
- Tsunami
- Active Volcano
- Stratovolcano
- Shield Volcano
- Caldera
- Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI)
- Pyroclastic Flow
- Lahar
- Hotspot
- Tropical Cyclone, Hurricane, Typhoon
- Saffir-Simpson Scale
- Aurora and Kp Index