An earthquake is a sudden and rapid shaking of the ground caused by the movement of tectonic plates beneath the Earth's surface. These tectonic plates are large slabs of the Earth's lithosphere that fit together like a jigsaw puzzle. When stress builds up due to the movement of these plates, it can lead to a release of energy in the form of seismic waves, which we perceive as an earthquake. The point where this energy release occurs is called the focus, while the point directly above it on the Earth's surface is known as the epicenter. Earthquakes can vary in magnitude and intensity, and they can cause significant damage to structures and landscapes, depending on their strength and depth.