Having found out what processes result in destructive tremors in the earth's crust, modern science, however, is not able to rid humanity of unnecessary victims.
On the powder keg
Earthquakes at all times were unknown and tragic phenomena for mankind, and technological progress, computerization of science and perfect mathematical models on paper helped to understand the processes occurring in the earth’s crust, but not so much as to prevent or at least minimize them their consequences. After all, if previously it was believed that tremors can occur only in certain places on the globe - at the junction of tectonic plates or in areas of increased volcanic activity, then in recent years they have been repeatedly recorded where they had to be least expected.
At different times, they were felt by the inhabitants of Yakutia, Odessa and Moscow, and as a result of the tsunami accompanying earthquakes, cities and regions that were located at a distance of several tens of thousands of kilometers from the epicenter often suffered.
Origin of the phenomenon
There is no clear answer to the question of what the earthquake source is today - scientists do not adhere to a single interpretation of this concept. Usually, it means a specific section of rocks located at some distance from the earth's surface, where various tectonic shifts and deformations occur due to accumulated stress. It is they that lead to the occurrence of seismic waves that propagate in all directions, and when they reach the surface of the earth, they destroy it and cause human casualties.
Common misconception
The source and the epicenter of the earthquake, contrary to the opinion that has developed due to the incompetence of the media, are by no means synonymous. But many people cannot figure out what the difference is. If what is the source of earthquakes means a certain space deep in the earth's crust or in the upper layers of the mantle, then in the scientific sense a point is considered to be the point that is the projection of the hypocenter onto the surface. And it is not necessary at all that it is here that the strongest shocks are felt.
There are a number of reasons why the most serious damage can occur in areas located at a considerable distance from the epicenter. This, for example, the heterogeneity of the earth's crust, directly affecting both the propagation and the nature of the waves themselves.
Rules and Exceptions
Most recorded tremors originate within the boundaries of the earth's crust, that is, at a distance of no more than 50-60 kilometers from the surface of the earth. However, history knows cases when the depth of the earthquake source was up to 500 kilometers or more, but the natural disasters themselves were tangible, and their consequences were catastrophic (in particular, the earthquake in the Sea of Okhotsk in May 2013).
The most destructive, as a rule, are tremors that occur at shallow depths, since they are accompanied not only by seismic, but also by little-studied surface waves.
The place where it all starts
Arguing what the earthquake source is, experts have in mind a certain volume of rocks, but the process of moving or breaking the earth's crust begins as a result of the release of a huge amount of energy not in several areas at once, but in one specific point. This is the center of the earthquake source - the place where waves arise, subsequently recorded by seismologists.
How is an earthquake determined?
To do this, there are seismograph instruments, with their help, waves are captured. After analyzing all the values, experts can tell where the earthquake will be, what is the strength of the shock of the shocks. Seismologists warn people about this in order to minimize the consequences of the tragedy and prevent victims, although determining the points with great accuracy is very difficult. It is worth noting that doing this in a timely manner is not always possible.
People have noticed that animals also react to the approach of an earthquake. For example, chickens, dogs, pigs, rats begin to behave uneasily a few hours before the tremors. Therefore, rural residents are used to observing their behavior.
