Earthquakes - From Cause to Effect

Earthquakes are an unpopular issue in Central Europe. The main reason is the erratic character of the occurrences of earthquakes. The past has shown that moderate earthquakes can even happen in regions, which were deemed to be aseismic. The destructive potential of an earthquake when compared with other natural hazards such as landslides or torrential floods, hail and avalanches differs in their spatial extent and its sudden impact. While these other natural hazards can often be anticipated in a short term, earthquake occurrences cannot be forecasted within a few days. In the following paragraphs the basics of earthquake cause, hazard and risk are briefly outlined to inform the reader on the major factors which contribute to an assessment of an earthquake situation for a particular region or site.