A shaking, trembling, or concussion of the earth, due to subterranean causes, often accompanied by a rumbling noise. The wave of shock sometimes traverses half a hemisphere, destroying cities and many thousand lives; -- called also earthdin, earthquave, and earthshock.

A movement of the earth's surface. plate seismic

The release of stored clastic energy caused by sudden fracture and movement of rocks inside the Earth. Part of the energy released produces seismic waves, like P, S, and surface waves, that travel outward in all directions from the point of initial rupture. These waves shake the ground as they pass by. An earthquake is felt if the shaking is strong enough to cause ground accelerations exceeding approximately 1.0 centimeter/second' (Richter, 1958).

Sudden movements of the earth's crust caused by the release of stress accumulated along geologic faults or by volcanic activity.

This is one of several Additional Perils that can be added to a Fire policy. In many cases a deductible will be imposed depending on the location of the risk.

a localized event that has happened before

Damage occasioned by or happening through earthquake is excluded from the standard fire policy but may be insured as an additional peril. Earthquake damage is the subject of separate insurance in some countries.

a natural phenomenon

a natural tsunami warning

a phenomenon unlike any other in nature