Earthquakes can range from a gentle tremor beneath our feet to violent shaking that razes cities and generates deadly tsunamis. These unpredictable events are among our planet's deadliest natural disasters, so understanding them is of vital importance. Our expert writers and editors tell you about the science behind seismic waves, take you through the largest recorded earthquakes in history and keep you updated on the latest earthquake research — whether it's a story about an "invisible" earthquake that caused a mysterious tsunami, the deepest earthquake ever detected or the earthquakes that could be unleashed by the San Andreas Fault. At Live Science, there's always news, features and articles about earthquakes for you to read.
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Massive magnitude 7 earthquake strikes off California coast
A magnitude 7 earthquake struck off the coast of Petrolia, California on Thursday (Dec. 5).
'Upwelling' deep in the mantle triggered magnitude 6.8 Morocco earthquake
Researchers found the 2023 Morocco earthquake was triggered by movement miles below Earth's surface.
LA may be spared 'horrifying' fate of the 'Big One' from San Andreas, simulation suggests
A new simulation of the shaking from a magnitude 7.8 south San Andreas earthquake suggests that Los Angeles might avoid a worst-case scenario.
Will we have more earthquakes because of climate change?
Changes in sea level and glacial melt could make earthquakes more likely in the coming years.
Huge earthquake 2,500 years ago rerouted the Ganges River, study suggests
A new study suggests an earthquake of estimated magnitude 7.5 or 8 shook the Indian subcontinent 2,500 years ago, changing the course of the Ganges.
Why do earthquakes happen far away from plate boundaries?
It's well known that earthquakes can rock fault-filled places like the U.S. West Coast. But why do earthquakes happen in the middle of tectonic plates?
Odd earthquake swarm in Central Europe hints at magma bubbling below the surface
An odd earthquake swarm has struck the region between the Czech Republic and Germany, far from any tectonic plate boundary.
Part of the San Andreas fault may be gearing up for an earthquake
The Parkfield section of the San Andreas fault is sending mixed messages before a time of expected increased seismic risk.
