What is the difference between Focus and Epicenter?

A person that is working in the field of geology would use the two words focus and epicenter. These words are used to describe parts of earthquakes. Focus is below Earth's surface. Focus is where the earthquake starts. The epicenter is above focus. It is on the earth's surface, and it is right about the surface point.

Another difference between them is how deep and shallow they are. The focus is more shallow, while the epicenter is deeper. They both can be used to study different parts of the earthquake. The focus is used to study how earthquakes form, while the epicenter shows how deep the earthquake caused damage.

The epicenter is known to be the location of the surface where the earthquake has started. Focus is also known as hypocenter. This is known to be the location wherein the earthquake has started. The focus is also known as the place where the rocks of the earth have started to break.

People are recommended to always know how to react when the earthquake starts because there is a huge possibility that there are certain structures that will not be able to take swinging that may occur when the earthquake starts.

People should always be prepared to find the right places to go where they can be safe. There are earthquake drills that are happening to prepare people for it.

Focus and epicenter are words used in geology; this word causes a lot of confusion amongst students while studying the causes of earthquakes. Focus is the point below the surface of the earth where the quake began while the epicenter is the point directly above the focus, which is situated on the surface of the earth.

The epicenter is also called the hypocenter. Focus is shallow, while the magnitude of the earthquake is deep at the epicenter. Focus is used to study the cause of earthquakes while the epicenter is used to give information on how deep the damage of the earthquake is.

At focus, the rocks shift, and there are seismic waves in the form of either body waves or surface waves; the epicenter is the closet point to the earth. The most violent shaking and damage occur.