Tectonic earthquakes typically occur in areas where the concentration of forces generated by tectonic plate boundaries leads to readjustment movements within and on the Earth's surface. For this reason, earthquakes of tectonic origin are closely related to the formation and activity of geological faults. They commonly occur at the end of a seismic cycle: a period during which deformation accumulates in the Earth's interior that will later be suddenly released. This release corresponds to the earthquake, after which the deformation begins to accumulate again.

In a telluric movement the following are distinguished:

• - Hypocenter, deep interior zone, where the earthquake occurs.

• - Epicenter, area of ​​the surface that is directly vertical to the hypocenter, where seismic waves impact with greatest intensity.

The probability of occurrence of earthquakes of a given magnitude in a specific region is given by a Poisson distribution. Thus the probability of occurrence of k earthquakes of magnitude M during a period T in a certain region is given by:.

Where.

Seismic motion propagates through elastic waves (similar to sound waves) from the hypocenter. Seismic waves are of three main types:

• - Longitudinal, primary or P waves. Body waves that propagate at speeds of 8 to 13 km/s in the same direction as the vibration of the particles. They circulate through the interior of the Earth, where they pass through liquids and solids. They are the first to be recorded by measuring devices or seismographs. Hence its name "P"..

• - Transverse, secondary or S waves. They are slower body waves than the previous ones (between 4 and 8 km/s). They propagate perpendicularly in the direction of vibration of the particles. They only pass through solids. On seismographs they are recorded second.

• - Surface waves. They are the slowest: 3.5 km/s. They result from the interaction of P and S waves along the Earth's surface. They are the ones that cause the most damage. They spread from the epicenter. They are similar to the waves (waves) that form on the surface of the sea. On seismographs they are recorded last.

• - Surface wave magnitude scale ().

• - Magnitude scale of body waves ().

• - Richter seismological scale, also known as local magnitude (M) scale, is an arbitrary logarithmic scale in which a number is assigned to quantify the effect of an earthquake.

• - Seismological moment magnitude scale is a logarithmic scale used to measure and compare earthquakes. It is based on measuring the total energy released in an earthquake. In 1979, it was introduced by Thomas C. Hanks and Hiroo Kanamori, as a successor to the Richter scale.

• - Mercalli seismological scale, 12 points, developed to evaluate the intensity of earthquakes according to the effects and damage caused to different structures. It owes its name to the Italian physicist Giuseppe Mercalli.

• - Medvedev-Sponheuer-Kárník scale, also known as MSK scale or MSK-64. It is a macroseismic intensity scale used to evaluate the strength of earth movements based on the destructive effects on human constructions and changes in the appearance of the terrain, as well as the degree of impact on the population. It consists of twelve degrees of intensity. The lowest is number one. To avoid the use of decimals, it is expressed in Roman numerals.

• - Shindo scale or closed scale of seven, known as Japanese scale. Rather than the intensity of the tremor, it focuses on each affected area, in ranges between 0 and 7.

Los efectos de un movimiento telúrico pueden ser uno o varios de los que se detallan a continuación:.

Soil movement and breakup

Movement and rupture of the ground are the main effects of an earthquake on the Earth's surface, due to the friction of tectonic plates, which causes damage to buildings or rigid structures found in the area affected by the earthquake. Damage to buildings depends on: a) intensity of movement; b) distance between the structure and the epicenter; c) geological and geomorphological conditions that allow better wave propagation.

Landslides and landslides

Earthquakes, storms, volcanic activity, storm surges and fire can cause instability on the edges of hills and other elevations of the terrain, which causes landslides.

Fires

Fire can occur if the power supply is not cut off after damage to the gas network in large cities. A notable case of this type of event is the 1906 earthquake in San Francisco, where the fires caused more victims than the earthquake itself. More than 80% of San Francisco was destroyed.

Soil liquefaction

Liquefaction occurs when, due to movement, water saturated in material, such as sand, temporarily loses its cohesion and changes from a solid to a liquid state. This phenomenon can lead to the collapse of rigid structures, such as buildings and bridges.

Tsunamis (tidal waves)

Tsunamis or tidal waves are enormous sea waves that, when traveling, move a large amount of water towards the coasts, and which, for the most part, are produced by underwater earthquakes. In the open sea the distances between the crests of sea waves are close to 100 km. Periods vary between five minutes and one hour. Depending on the depth of the water, tsunamis can travel at speeds of 600 to 800 km/h. They can move great distances across the ocean, from one continent to another.

In recent times, the 1960 Valdivia earthquake in Chile can be cited as the most serious, which is the largest earthquake recorded so far by seismographs worldwide, it gave rise to a tsunami and between them they killed about 3,000 people; the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and its subsequent tsunami that caused more than 220,000 deaths (currently still the deadliest natural disaster of the century) or the 2011 Japan earthquake and tsunami that killed almost 20,000 people.

• - The town of Corral "Corral (Chile)") was almost completely destroyed as a result of the tsunami caused by the Valdivia earthquake of 1960. About 3,000 people died between the earthquake and the tsunami.

• - Tsunami caused by the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake hitting Thailand. There were more than 220,000 deaths.

• - The tsunami caused by the 2011 Tōhoku Earthquake impacting Miyako "Miyako (Iwate)"). There were almost 20,000 deaths.

Floods

Floods are quickly created by the overflow of water at ground level, covering areas that are usually free of water with water. They can be secondary effects of earthquakes due to the damage that dams may suffer. Additionally, they can create landslides in rivers, which also create collapse and flooding.

Human impacts

An earthquake can cause injuries or even loss of life, damage to roads and bridges, general property damage, and collapse or destabilization of buildings. It can also be the source of illness, lack of basic needs, and higher insurance premiums.

In the event of an earthquake, civil protection offers the following recommendations:[13]​.

• - If you are inside a building, it is important:

• Seek shelter on the side (never below) of the door lintels or also on the side of some solid furniture, such as tables or desks, or next to a pillar (vertical column) or very solid main wall.

• Stay away from windows, glass, display cases, partitions and objects that can fall and hit you.

• Do not use the elevator, since the effects of the earthquake could cause it to collapse or you may become trapped inside. Stand next to the concrete elevator box without entering it.

• Use flashlights for lighting and avoid the use of candles, matches, or any type of flame during or immediately after the earthquake, which could cause an explosion or fire.

• - If you are outside, it is convenient:

• Go to an open area, away from damaged buildings. A large earthquake is followed by smaller aftershocks, called aftershocks (seismology), which may be strong enough to cause additional damage.

• Try not to approach or enter damaged buildings. The greatest danger from falling debris, coverings, glass, etc., is in the vertical of the facades.[14]​

• If you are driving by car, it is advisable to stop the vehicle, turn on the emergency lights, get out of it and stand next to it, as well as take care to stay away from bridges, electric poles, degraded buildings or landslide areas.

• - After the earthquake:[15]​

• If you need to communicate with friends or family, use cell phone text messages, chat, emails or the internet in general. Excessive calls can congest cellular and landline networks.

• - Note: The strongest earthquakes of the 2010s have occurred in Chile and Japan.

• - History of seismology.

• - Seismic wave.

• - Seismology.

• - Tremor (vulcanology) "Tremor (volcanology)").

• - Tectonic plates.

• - Earthquake lights.

• - Flood.

• - Marsquake.

• - The 10 largest earthquakes in human history.

• - List of earthquakes of the 21st century.

• - List of the main earthquakes between the 3rd millennium BC. C. and the 9th century AD. c.

• - List of the main earthquakes between the 10th and 19th centuries.

• - List of the main earthquakes of the 20th century.

• - List of major earthquakes of 2025.

• - Portal:Earth Sciences.

• - Cova, F., & Rincón, P. (2010). The earthquake and tsunami of February 27 and its effects on mental health. Psychological Therapy, 28(2), 179-185.

• - Solares, J. M. M., & de la Torre, Fernando Rodríguez. (2001). The effects in Spain of the Lisbon earthquake (November 1, 1755).

• - M. Gascón et al. Winds, Earthquakes, Tsunamis and other natural disasters. History and Latin American cases. Byblos Publishing House. Buenos Aires, 2005. 159 pp. ISBN 950 786 498 9.

• - Wikimedia Commons hosts a multimedia gallery on earthquakes.

• - Wiktionary has definitions and other information about earthquake.

• - Wikinews has news related to Earthquake.

• - Wikiquote hosts famous quotes from or about Earthquake.

Tectonic earthquakes typically occur in areas where the concentration of forces generated by tectonic plate boundaries leads to readjustment movements within and on the Earth's surface. For this reason, earthquakes of tectonic origin are closely related to the formation and activity of geological faults. They commonly occur at the end of a seismic cycle: a period during which deformation accumulates in the Earth's interior that will later be suddenly released. This release corresponds to the earthquake, after which the deformation begins to accumulate again.

In a telluric movement the following are distinguished:

• - Hypocenter, deep interior zone, where the earthquake occurs.

• - Epicenter, area of ​​the surface that is directly vertical to the hypocenter, where seismic waves impact with greatest intensity.

The probability of occurrence of earthquakes of a given magnitude in a specific region is given by a Poisson distribution. Thus the probability of occurrence of k earthquakes of magnitude M during a period T in a certain region is given by:.

Where.

Seismic motion propagates through elastic waves (similar to sound waves) from the hypocenter. Seismic waves are of three main types:

• - Longitudinal, primary or P waves. Body waves that propagate at speeds of 8 to 13 km/s in the same direction as the vibration of the particles. They circulate through the interior of the Earth, where they pass through liquids and solids. They are the first to be recorded by measuring devices or seismographs. Hence its name "P"..

• - Transverse, secondary or S waves. They are slower body waves than the previous ones (between 4 and 8 km/s). They propagate perpendicularly in the direction of vibration of the particles. They only pass through solids. On seismographs they are recorded second.

• - Surface waves. They are the slowest: 3.5 km/s. They result from the interaction of P and S waves along the Earth's surface. They are the ones that cause the most damage. They spread from the epicenter. They are similar to the waves (waves) that form on the surface of the sea. On seismographs they are recorded last.

• - Surface wave magnitude scale ().

• - Magnitude scale of body waves ().

• - Richter seismological scale, also known as local magnitude (M) scale, is an arbitrary logarithmic scale in which a number is assigned to quantify the effect of an earthquake.

• - Seismological moment magnitude scale is a logarithmic scale used to measure and compare earthquakes. It is based on measuring the total energy released in an earthquake. In 1979, it was introduced by Thomas C. Hanks and Hiroo Kanamori, as a successor to the Richter scale.

• - Mercalli seismological scale, 12 points, developed to evaluate the intensity of earthquakes according to the effects and damage caused to different structures. It owes its name to the Italian physicist Giuseppe Mercalli.

• - Medvedev-Sponheuer-Kárník scale, also known as MSK scale or MSK-64. It is a macroseismic intensity scale used to evaluate the strength of earth movements based on the destructive effects on human constructions and changes in the appearance of the terrain, as well as the degree of impact on the population. It consists of twelve degrees of intensity. The lowest is number one. To avoid the use of decimals, it is expressed in Roman numerals.

• - Shindo scale or closed scale of seven, known as Japanese scale. Rather than the intensity of the tremor, it focuses on each affected area, in ranges between 0 and 7.

Los efectos de un movimiento telúrico pueden ser uno o varios de los que se detallan a continuación:.

Soil movement and breakup

Movement and rupture of the ground are the main effects of an earthquake on the Earth's surface, due to the friction of tectonic plates, which causes damage to buildings or rigid structures found in the area affected by the earthquake. Damage to buildings depends on: a) intensity of movement; b) distance between the structure and the epicenter; c) geological and geomorphological conditions that allow better wave propagation.

Landslides and landslides

Earthquakes, storms, volcanic activity, storm surges and fire can cause instability on the edges of hills and other elevations of the terrain, which causes landslides.

Fires

Fire can occur if the power supply is not cut off after damage to the gas network in large cities. A notable case of this type of event is the 1906 earthquake in San Francisco, where the fires caused more victims than the earthquake itself. More than 80% of San Francisco was destroyed.

Soil liquefaction

Liquefaction occurs when, due to movement, water saturated in material, such as sand, temporarily loses its cohesion and changes from a solid to a liquid state. This phenomenon can lead to the collapse of rigid structures, such as buildings and bridges.

Tsunamis (tidal waves)

Tsunamis or tidal waves are enormous sea waves that, when traveling, move a large amount of water towards the coasts, and which, for the most part, are produced by underwater earthquakes. In the open sea the distances between the crests of sea waves are close to 100 km. Periods vary between five minutes and one hour. Depending on the depth of the water, tsunamis can travel at speeds of 600 to 800 km/h. They can move great distances across the ocean, from one continent to another.

In recent times, the 1960 Valdivia earthquake in Chile can be cited as the most serious, which is the largest earthquake recorded so far by seismographs worldwide, it gave rise to a tsunami and between them they killed about 3,000 people; the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and its subsequent tsunami that caused more than 220,000 deaths (currently still the deadliest natural disaster of the century) or the 2011 Japan earthquake and tsunami that killed almost 20,000 people.

• - The town of Corral "Corral (Chile)") was almost completely destroyed as a result of the tsunami caused by the Valdivia earthquake of 1960. About 3,000 people died between the earthquake and the tsunami.

• - Tsunami caused by the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake hitting Thailand. There were more than 220,000 deaths.

• - The tsunami caused by the 2011 Tōhoku Earthquake impacting Miyako "Miyako (Iwate)"). There were almost 20,000 deaths.

Floods

Floods are quickly created by the overflow of water at ground level, covering areas that are usually free of water with water. They can be secondary effects of earthquakes due to the damage that dams may suffer. Additionally, they can create landslides in rivers, which also create collapse and flooding.

Human impacts

An earthquake can cause injuries or even loss of life, damage to roads and bridges, general property damage, and collapse or destabilization of buildings. It can also be the source of illness, lack of basic needs, and higher insurance premiums.

In the event of an earthquake, civil protection offers the following recommendations:[13]​.

• - If you are inside a building, it is important:

• Seek shelter on the side (never below) of the door lintels or also on the side of some solid furniture, such as tables or desks, or next to a pillar (vertical column) or very solid main wall.

• Stay away from windows, glass, display cases, partitions and objects that can fall and hit you.

• Do not use the elevator, since the effects of the earthquake could cause it to collapse or you may become trapped inside. Stand next to the concrete elevator box without entering it.

• Use flashlights for lighting and avoid the use of candles, matches, or any type of flame during or immediately after the earthquake, which could cause an explosion or fire.

• - If you are outside, it is convenient:

• Go to an open area, away from damaged buildings. A large earthquake is followed by smaller aftershocks, called aftershocks (seismology), which may be strong enough to cause additional damage.

• Try not to approach or enter damaged buildings. The greatest danger from falling debris, coverings, glass, etc., is in the vertical of the facades.[14]​

• If you are driving by car, it is advisable to stop the vehicle, turn on the emergency lights, get out of it and stand next to it, as well as take care to stay away from bridges, electric poles, degraded buildings or landslide areas.

• - After the earthquake:[15]​

• If you need to communicate with friends or family, use cell phone text messages, chat, emails or the internet in general. Excessive calls can congest cellular and landline networks.

• - Note: The strongest earthquakes of the 2010s have occurred in Chile and Japan.

• - History of seismology.

• - Seismic wave.

• - Seismology.

• - Tremor (vulcanology) "Tremor (volcanology)").

• - Tectonic plates.

• - Earthquake lights.

• - Flood.

• - Marsquake.

• - The 10 largest earthquakes in human history.

• - List of earthquakes of the 21st century.

• - List of the main earthquakes between the 3rd millennium BC. C. and the 9th century AD. c.

• - List of the main earthquakes between the 10th and 19th centuries.

• - List of the main earthquakes of the 20th century.

• - List of major earthquakes of 2025.

• - Portal:Earth Sciences.

• - Cova, F., & Rincón, P. (2010). The earthquake and tsunami of February 27 and its effects on mental health. Psychological Therapy, 28(2), 179-185.

• - Solares, J. M. M., & de la Torre, Fernando Rodríguez. (2001). The effects in Spain of the Lisbon earthquake (November 1, 1755).

• - M. Gascón et al. Winds, Earthquakes, Tsunamis and other natural disasters. History and Latin American cases. Byblos Publishing House. Buenos Aires, 2005. 159 pp. ISBN 950 786 498 9.

• - Wikimedia Commons hosts a multimedia gallery on earthquakes.

• - Wiktionary has definitions and other information about earthquake.

• - Wikinews has news related to Earthquake.

• - Wikiquote hosts famous quotes from or about Earthquake.