epicentre

Everyday

1. The epicentre is the point on the Earth's surface right above where an earthquake starts underground. tree →
2. The epicentre of something is its centre, where it is strongest or busiest. tree →

In the lessons

In geography and science lessons: the epicentre of an earthquake, shaking is strongest near it. In news and everyday talk: the epicentre of a storm, of the fun, of a problem. Phrases: the epicentre of, near the epicentre, epicentre of the earthquake.

Examples

• The epicentre of the earthquake was under a small town. tree →
• Houses near the epicentre were badly damaged. tree →
• Scientists found the epicentre using readings from three places. tree →
• Our kitchen is the epicentre of family life. tree →
• The city was the epicentre of the floods. tree →
• The shaking was weaker far from the epicentre. tree →

Note

Spelling: UK, Australia, NZ, Ireland, Canada epicentre; US epicenter. The focus is underground; the epicentre is on the surface above it. In maths: distances from the epicentre are measured in kilometres; damage usually drops as distance grows.