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The primary cause of an earthquake is faults on the crust of the earth. The cracks or sudden slips of the land are known as faults or fault planes. The point of origin of the earthquake is inside the earth and is known as the hypocenter. Maximum destruction is caused at the epicenter, the surface above the hypocenter. When there are sudden movements in the various layers of the earth, crust or mantle, concentric waves are produced. These waves are known as seismic waves and are of three types; Primary Waves (P-Waves), Secondary Waves (S-Waves) and Surface Waves (L-Waves). These waves have different patterns of movement. Earthquakes usually have foreshocks and aftershocks. The main earthquake or the one with the maximum magnitude is known as the main shock. Its intensity is calculated by the magnitude of seismic waves, measured with the help of a seismograph. The measurement is taken on the Richter scale.

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Q: Explain the main cause of earthquakes and their effects?
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It is the main cause of earthquakes. However you may get minor earthquakes due to volcanic activity or mass wasting events.


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