Earthquakes and Their Causes

Earthquake is the result of a sudden release of energy accumulated in the earth's crust usually caused by movement along a fault plane or by volcanic activity. The result of the breakdown of surface rocks is called a fault. The point of the initial rupture is called focus or hypocenter, and the location directly above it on the surface of the earth is called the epicenter. Scientists developed many methods for predicting the time and place in which earthquakes will occur. Despite their considerable research efforts, scientifically reproducible predictions cannot yet be made to a specific day or month. This book presents works and essays about the earthquake phenomena and its causes.