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GCSE Geography · key term
The point within Earth where an earthquake begins.
Used by AQA, Edexcel and OCR
Specification 3.1.1.2 · Paper 1
Revise: Plate Tectonics and Plate MarginsThe earthquake begins underground at its focus. The epicentre is the point on the surface directly above the focus. Earthquakes can occur at all three plate-margin types studied here, although the direction of plate movement differs.
Paper 1
The point inside the Earth where an earthquake rupture begins.
Distinguish the focus, which is underground, from the epicentre directly above it at the surface.
Keep focus and epicentre distinct: the focus is underground; the epicentre is directly above it on the surface.
Keep focus and epicentre distinct: the focus is underground; the epicentre is directly above it at the surface.
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The focus is the point underground where the rupture starts. The epicentre is the point on the surface directly above it. Seismic waves spread out from the earthquake: the epicentre is not where the earthquake begins.
Specification 1.2a, 1.2b · Paper 1, Paper 3
The point within the Earth where an earthquake begins.
Revise: Tectonic Plate Movement: EarthquakesThe focus is the point inside the Earth where the earthquake begins. The epicentre is the point on the surface directly above it.