Earthquakes Over a period of time, stresses build beneath the Earth's surface. From time to time, stress is released resulting in the sudden, and sometimes disastrous shaking we call an earthquake. It could last seconds, or minutes and come in a series over several days.

An earthquake is often 'announced' by a loud noise like that of a train or explosion. Initial earth movements and swaying of structures caused by the earthquake could be followed some time later (after hours or days) by aftershocks, usually of decreasing severity.

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