*Edited by Valentina Svalova*

An earthquake is the shaking of the surface of the Earth, resulting from the sudden release of energy in the *Earth's lithosphere* that creates *seismic waves*. Earthquakes can range in size from those that are so weak that they cannot be felt to those violent enough to toss people around and destroy the whole cities.

At the Earth's surface, earthquakes manifest themselves by shaking and sometimes displacement of the ground. When the *epicenter* of a large earthquake is located offshore, the seabed may be displaced sufficiently to cause a *tsunami*. Earthquakes can also trigger *landslides* and occasionally volcanic activity.

Earthquakes are caused not only by rupture of geological *faults* but also by other events such as volcanic activity, landslides, mine blasts, and *nuclear tests*.

This book addresses the multidisciplinary topic of earthquake hazards and risk, one of the fastest growing, relevant, and applied fields of research and study practiced within the geosciences and environment. This book addresses principles, concepts, and paradigms of earthquakes, as well as operational terms, materials, tools, techniques, and methods including processes, procedures, and implications.

Published in London, UK © 2018 IntechOpen © ivanmollov / iStock

Earthquakes - Forecast, Prognosis and Earthquake Resistant Construction

IntechOpen Book Series

Earthquakes, Volume 1

Earthquakes

Forecast, Prognosis and

Earthquake Resistant Construction

*Edited by Valentina Svalova*