What are facts about earhtquakes?

Earthquakes occur when there is a sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust, usually due to tectonic plate movements. They are measured using the Richter scale or the moment magnitude scale, which quantify their magnitude based on seismic waves. The most earthquake-prone areas are along tectonic plate boundaries, particularly the Pacific Ring of Fire. Earthquakes can lead to various secondary hazards, such as tsunamis, landslides, and aftershocks.