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Visual Glossary - aftershocks

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  • aftershocks

    Aftershocks are earthquakes that follow the largest shock of an earthquake sequence. They are smaller than the mainshock and within 1-2 rupture lengths distance from the mainshock. Aftershocks can continue over a period of weeks, months, or years. In general, the larger the mainshock, the larger and more numerous the aftershocks, and the longer they will continue.

    Aftershock Flash Animation Aftershock Flash Animation

    aftershocks

    The Landers fault (red lines at left) and the Hector Mine fault and its aftershocks (red lines and circles at right). The Hector Mine earthquake was a magnitude 7.1, and it produced thousands of aftershocks. (Image courtesy of Egill Hauksson, Caltech)

    aftershocks

    Plot of number of aftershocks in region of mainshock