The word earthquake is used to describe any seismic event, whether a natural phenomenon or an event caused by humans that generates seismic waves. The moment magnitude of an earthquake most commonly reported on the Ritcher scale, with a magnitude of 3 or lower earthquakes, being mostly imperceptible while magnitudes 7 and above causes catastrophic damage over large areas. The devastating effects and impacts of earthquakes run the gamut from shaking and ground rupturing, landslides, avalanches, fires, soil liquefaction, tsunamis to the mortality of human lives.

It has been calculated in the United Kingdom that the average of earthquakes recurrences are as this:

an earthquake of 3.7-4.6 every year.

an earthquake of 4.7-5.5 every decade

an earthquake of 5.6 or larger every century.

Those living in earthquake prone areas are encouraged to practice earthquake preparedness which are a variety of measures designed to help individuals, businesses, and local and state governments in earthquake prone areas to prepare for significant earthquakes. By doing so, it may be of great help during emergenices and might reduce the devastating and deadly impacts of an earthquake.