An earthquake ( also known as a quake , tremor or temblor ) is the perceptible shaking of the surface of the Earth , resulting from the sudden release of energy in the Earth 's crust that creates seismic waves .
An earthquake ( also known as a quake , tremor or temblor ) is the perceptible shaking of the surface of the Earth , which can be violent enough to destroy major buildings and kill thousands of people . 
 They result from the sudden release of energy in the Earth 's crust that creates seismic waves .