Earthquakes

Status: public · Confidence: medium (0.83) · Basis: verified_sources

## TL;DR

Earthquakes occur when faults slip suddenly, releasing seismic energy that is measured by several magnitude scales.

## Core Explanation

This repair removes unsupported future seismology sources and maps the public facts to USGS explanations of earthquake causes, magnitude types, and the largest recorded earthquake.

## Further Reading

- [USGS: What is an earthquake and what causes them to happen?](https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/what-earthquake-and-what-causes-them-happen)
- [USGS: Magnitude Types](https://www.usgs.gov/programs/earthquake-hazards/magnitude-types)
- [USGS: Can megaquakes really happen?](https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/can-megaquakes-really-happen-a-magnitude-10-or-larger/)