The epicenter of an earthquake is located
A) deep underground at the very source of the earthquake
B) at the point on land where the majority of movement, and the majority of damage, occurs
C) at the point on land where the earthquake is first detected by a seismograph
D) at the exact middle point of the earthquake's origin along the length of two faults
E) on the earth's surface directly above the focus of the earthquake

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The epicenter of an earthquake is the point on the Earth's surface directly above the focus or the hypocenter of the earthquake where the initial rupture or movement occurred. Seismic waves radiate outwards from the focus and reach the surface at the epicenter causing the most intense shaking and damage. Therefore, the best choice is E - on the earth's surface directly above the focus of the earthquake.

The Epicenter of an Earthquake Is Located