Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

hypocentre

noun
/ˈhaɪ.pəʊˌsɛn.tər/
Definition
The point on the Earth’s surface directly above the focus of an earthquake, or the point in the atmosphere where a nuclear explosion occurs.
Examples
  • The earthquake’s hypocentre was determined to be 10 kilometers underground.
  • Scientists use seismic data to locate the hypocentre of an earthquake.
Meaning
The hypocentre is the location where the seismic waves originate during an earthquake, crucial for understanding the earthquake’s impact on the surface.
Synonyms
  • Focus
  • Ground zero