rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryepicenterEarthquake surface point
noun

epicenter

EP-uh-sen-ter/ˈɛpəˌsɛntər/

The surface point directly above the origin of an earthquake.

The earthquake's epicenter lies directly above its shallow underground focus.

Regional crust cutaway showing shallow earthquake focus with epicenter directly above on ground surface.
Etymology
epiGreekabove
+centerLatincenter, fixed point

The pieces mean “above the center”: the earthquake’s focus is the reference point below ground. The epicenter is the corresponding point directly above it on Earth's surface.

In context

Mike Sammartano2:26
location two is 3,000 kilometers from the epicenter
Earthquake Epicenter Location

More examples

  • Scientists locate the epicenter using data from several seismic stations.
  • The earthquake's epicenter was offshore, about twenty miles from town.
  • The map marks the epicenters of three recent earthquakes.

Forms

epicenter · epicenters

epicentral adjective — Relating to the epicenter of an earthquake.

Similar words

center
Center is broader and does not specify an earthquake's surface location.