What does earthquake mean?
A sudden violent shaking of the ground, usually caused by the release of energy stored in the Earth's lithosphere, resulting in damage to structures, buildings, and the environment. Earthquakes can also be caused by human activities, such as injection of fluids into the ground.
Example
"The earthquake caused widespread destruction and left thousands of people homeless."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.