What is an Earthquake?

The earth below our feet is continually moving. How do changes underground lead to effects on the surface, and what happens to change these movements into devastating earthquakes? Earth Science - Geology - Learning Points. Movement of the Earth's tectonic plates causes earthquakes. Earthquakes occur at plate boundaries known as fault lines. The focus of an earthquake is the point at which pressure is released. Directly above this is the epicentre. Seismic waves are measured on the Richter Scale, which determines the magnitude of an earthquake. A Twig Curriculum Film. Delivering key learning points. Get straight to the facts in just three minutes – directly linked to core learning, Twig's curriculum films will fit neatly into your lesson plans.