![]() Likewise, areas having active faults are at greater risk. For example, in soft unconsolidated material, earthquake vibrations last longer and develop greater amplitudes, which produce more ground shaking, than in areas underlain by hard bedrock. Geologic setting: A wide range of foundation materials exhibits a similarly wide range of responses to seismic vibrations.Distance from epicenter: The potential for damage tends to be greatest near the epicenter (the point on the ground directly above the focus), and decreases away from it. ![]() Even stronger events of much greater depth typically produce only moderate shaking at ground level. Depth of focus, or hypocenter: The shallower the focus (the point of an earthquake's origin within the earth), usually the greater the potential for destructive shock waves reaching the earth's surface.Duration of shaking: This is one of the most important parameters of ground motion for causing damage.Amount of seismic energy released: The greater the vibrational energy, the greater the chance for destruction.Each of the following should be prefaced with "other factors being equal. There are many interrelated factors that determine the extent of loss of property and life from an earthquake. ![]() Although floods, tornadoes and hurricanes account for much greater annual loss in the United States, severe earthquakes pose the largest risk in terms of sudden loss of life and property. You can download a PDF version of this brochure, suitable for printing.Įarthquakes can be among the most devastating and terrifying of natural hazards. ![]() Visit the Seismic Network Pages for more information, and see live seismic displays. Maryland's earthquake monitoring network is online. ![]()
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