Ground motion

Ground motion refers to the movement or shaking of the Earth's surface during events like earthquakes. It results from energy released along faults, causing the ground to vibrate differently depending on the earthquake’s strength, depth, and distance. This shaking can vary from barely noticeable to severe, affecting buildings, roads, and infrastructure. Understanding ground motion is critical for designing structures that withstand earthquakes and for assessing the potential impact on communities. Essentially, it describes how the Earth's surface reacts to seismic energy, providing important information for safety and engineering preparedness.