epicenter earthquake

Meanings

1. 1nouncountabletechnical

   The point on the earth's surface directly above the underground origin of an earthquake.

   Grammar: Countable; often used with 'the' when referring to a specific earthquake: the epicenter of the earthquake.

   Patterns

   • the epicenter of an earthquake
   • near the epicenter
   • the earthquake's epicenter

   The earthquake's epicenter was located about 30 miles east of the city.

   Scientists quickly determined the epicenter of the earthquake using data from several monitoring stations.

   People living near the epicenter felt the strongest shaking.

2. 2nouncountablefigurative

   The central point of a situation or activity, especially one that is important or problematic.

   Grammar: Often used figuratively with 'of': the epicenter of the crisis.

   Patterns

   • the epicenter of something
   • at the epicenter of something

   The city became the epicenter of the protest movement.

   This region is the epicenter of the country's tech industry.

Word forms

Common combinations

epicenter of an earthquake

The epicenter of an earthquake is usually where the most damage occurs.

locate the epicenter

Geologists can locate the epicenter within minutes of a quake.

near the epicenter

Buildings near the epicenter suffered the worst damage.

the epicenter of the crisis

The capital was the epicenter of the political crisis.

Synonyms and how they differ

focus

In geology, 'focus' (or 'hypocenter') is the actual underground point where the earthquake starts, while 'epicenter' is the point on the surface directly above it.

center

Use 'center' for the middle of an area or object in general; 'epicenter' is more specific to earthquakes or figurative focal points.

Word family

epicentral adjective

Relating to an epicenter.

Commonly confused: epicenter earthquake or hypocenter?

Practice

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