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In seismology, an aftershock is a smaller earthquake that follows a larger earthquake, in the same area of the main shock, caused as the displaced crust adjusts to the effects of the main shock.
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Aftershocks are earthquakes that follow the largest shock of an earthquake sequence. They are smaller than the mainshock and within 1-2 fault lengths distance from the mainshock fault. Aftershocks can continue over a period of weeks, months, or years.
Most large earthquakes are followed by additional earthquakes, called aftershocks, which make up an aftershock sequence. While most aftershocks are smaller than the mainshock, they can still be damaging or deadly.
Aftershocks are themselves earthquakes, but they are more accurately described as the lower-magnitude (or lower-intensity) tremors that follow the principal earthquake or main shock (that is, the largest earthquake in a sequence of earthquakes).
- John P. Rafferty
Apr 5, 2024 · Aftershocks are minor readjustments made near the faults, or areas where stress occurs during the earthquake. Aftershocks can occur in the thousands and can still be damaging or deadly.
aftershock, any of several lower-magnitude earthquakes that follow the main shock of a larger earthquake. An aftershock results from the sudden change in stress occurring within and between rocks and the previous release of stress brought on by the principal earthquake.
Aftershocks are smaller earthquakes that follow main shocks, and they are caused by adjustments of the fault that broke during the main shock. They are the seismic equivalent of the fault “creaking” as it settles into a new relaxed state after the main earthquake.
