[doc1019]

I don’t live in an earthquake subjected area:

I’m confused … what is the difference between and earthquake and “relieving pressure”? Thought that and earthquake was mother natures way of relieving pressure? Same question about and after shock … how do we know that something called and “after shock” is not another earthquake?

If you or anyone here would have a link that would explain all this to me, would save them a lot of typing.

Thanks.

[bubbacluck]

what is the difference between and earthquake and “relieving pressure”?

A small one like this (3.6) is like an SBD "fart". It relieves the pressure. The big ones, like an 8.0 or thereabout, are more like a ... well, do you get the picture? They're both earthquakes but one is constructive and the other is destructive.

[Mariebl]

Same question about and after shock … how do we know that something called and “after shock” is not another earthquake?

Basically, they do an after-the-fact analysis of the situation. Start with the original earthquake. If afterwards, you have a succession of smaller earthquakes, those are aftershocks. However, if you have a larger earthquake after your original quake, then the first quake is then referred to as a 'foreshock.'

I know that this doesn't sound very scientific, but we have a lot to learn about earthquakes. To have a better determination of aftershock/foreshock, you'd have to understand the causes well enough to predict them, and we're far from that.

(I've felt three quakes in the last month that were approximately 4s--mild, but it raises my adrenaline level.)