MCQ Detailed View

When an earthquake occurs, it originates at a point within the Earth’s crust called the hypocenter or focus. This is the location where stress along a fault line is released, generating seismic waves that travel in all directions.

The point on the Earth's surface directly above this seismic focus is known as the epicentre. The epicentre is the location where the earthquake’s effects are felt most strongly, as it is the closest point on the surface to the hypocenter. Seismologists often report the location of an earthquake by identifying the epicentre, as it helps in measuring the intensity and impact of the seismic event.

Seismic waves spread outward from the focus, and the epicentre is important in earthquake monitoring and disaster management. It allows authorities to determine which regions are most at risk of strong shaking and potential damage. While the focus is buried deep underground, the epicentre is the surface reference point that correlates with the area experiencing the highest seismic intensity.

Other options in the question are incorrect. A cleft is a general term for a split or gap, incentre and orthocentre are terms used in geometry, not geology. Only epicentre accurately describes the surface point directly above the seismic focus.

Understanding this concept is a key part of earth science and Everyday Science topics, as it explains how earthquakes originate and how their effects are measured on the Earth's surface.