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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.
- John P. Rafferty
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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.
Earthquakes—that is, sudden episodes of shaking ground—are caused by seismic waves (which result from the energy released by the breaking and slippage of one set of rocks against another). Aftershock is the term used to describe a shaking event that follows an earthquake.
- John P. Rafferty
Sep 21, 2018 · Geophysicist Gregory Beroza discusses the culprits behind destructive aftershocks and why scientists are harnessing artificial intelligence to gain new insights into earthquake risks.
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 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.
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.
