Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

epicenter

noun

ˈep.ɪ.sen.tər

Definition

The point on the Earth’s surface directly above the origin of an earthquake.

Examples

The epicenter of the quake was located near the coastal city.
In seismic studies, understanding the epicenter helps to assess the earthquake’s intensity.
The emergency response teams moved towards the epicenter to provide assistance.

Meaning

The term ‘epicenter’ refers to the location on the ground that is directly above where an earthquake starts beneath the Earth’s surface. It is a critical point for measuring the impact of an earthquake.