Types of earthquake

In seismology, an aftershock is a smaller earthquake that follows a larger earthquake, in the same area of the main shock, caused as the displaced crust adjusts to the effects of the main shock. Large earthquakes can have hundreds to thousands of instrumentally detectable aftershocks, which steadily decrease in magnitude and frequency according to a consistent pattern. In some earthquakes the main rupture happens in two or more steps, resulting in multiple main shocks. These are known as doublet earthquakes, and in general can be distinguished from aftershocks in having similar magnitudes and

A foreshock is an earthquake that occurs before a larger seismic eventthe mainshockand is related to it in both time and space. The designation of an earthquake as foreshock, mainshock or aftershock is only possible after the full sequence of events has happened.

earthquakes that occur at subduction zones at destructive convergent plate boundaries, where one tectonic plate is forced underneath another. These earthquakes are the planet's most powerful, with moment magnitudes (Mw) that can exceed 9.0

earthquake that occurs in the interior of a tectonic plate

series of localized seismic events within a short time period

earthquake that occurs underwater at the bottom of a body of water

A cryoseism, ice quake or frost quake, is a seismic event caused by a sudden cracking action in frozen soil or rock saturated with water or ice, or by stresses generated at frozen lakes.

earthquake that occurs at the boundary between two tectonic plates

A skyquake is a phenomenon where a loud sound is reported to originate from the sky. It often manifests as a banging, or a horn-like noise. The sound may cause noticeable effects on buildings, including vibration in ceilings or across the walls of a particular room. Those who experience skyquakes typically do not have a clear explanation for what caused them and they are perceived as mysterious. They have been heard in several locations around the world, typically in areas close to lakes and other bodies of water. Reports of skyquakes have come from the North Sea, the Ganges, Canada, Colombia,

discontinuous, earthquake-like event that releases energy over a period of hours to months

two earthquakes associated by space and time

geographical phenomenon

earthquake with a hypocenter depth exceeding 300 km

In seismology, the mainshock is the largest earthquake in a sequence, sometimes preceded by one or more foreshocks, and almost always followed by many aftershocks.

movement along a thrust fault that is not visible at the surface

classification