Tremor vs. Earthquake — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on November 1, 2023
A tremor is a small, often premonitory shaking of the ground, while an earthquake is a significant seismic event causing ground shaking due to tectonic movements.
Difference Between Tremor and Earthquake
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A tremor is typically a small shaking or quivering movement, often felt as a precursor to an earthquake. It is caused by the minor release of energy in the Earth's crust. An earthquake, on the other hand, is a result of a sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust creating seismic waves, often followed by aftershocks.
Tremors can be caused by a variety of factors, including volcanic activity or man-made events such as explosions. Earthquakes are specifically caused by tectonic activity, such as the movement of plates, faults, or volcanic activity and can have much more severe consequences.
In medical terms, a tremor also refers to an involuntary, rhythmic muscle contraction leading to shaking movements in one or more parts of the body. The term earthquake is exclusively used to describe geological events and does not have a medical connotation.
The magnitude of a tremor is usually less than that of an earthquake. Seismographs measure tremors often as low magnitude events which are not always felt by people. Earthquakes, especially those with higher magnitudes, can cause significant damage and loss of life.
Detection and monitoring systems might record thousands of tremors each year, many of which go unnoticed by the public. Conversely, earthquakes, particularly major ones, are less frequent but can lead to significant changes in the Earth's surface, sometimes resulting in tsunamis or landslides.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A small shaking or vibrating movement.
A significant seismic event causing ground shaking.
Causes
Minor tectonic movements, volcanic activity, or man-made.
Major tectonic shifts, fault slip, or volcanic activity.
Magnitude
Usually low, often not felt by people.
Can range from low to high, with high magnitudes causing damage.
Consequences
Generally minimal, may precede an earthquake.
Can be catastrophic, causing structural damage and loss of life.
Frequency of Noticeable Events
More frequent but less noticed.
Less frequent, but highly noticed when they occur.
Compare with Definitions
Tremor
Minor shaking movement
The scientist noted a tremor on the seismograph.
Earthquake
Cause of tsunamis
A powerful earthquake triggered a devastating tsunami.
Tremor
Volcanic activity sign
Tremors around the volcano signaled a possible eruption.
Earthquake
Tectonic plate movement result
The earthquake was caused by a fault slipping.
Tremor
Involuntary muscle contraction
He experienced a slight tremor in his hands.
Earthquake
Measurable on Richter scale
The earthquake registered 7.2 on the Richter scale.
Tremor
Small oscillation
Tremors in the machinery were detected during the test.
Earthquake
An earthquake (also known as a quake, tremor or temblor) is the shaking of the surface of the Earth resulting from a sudden release of energy in the Earth's lithosphere that creates seismic waves. Earthquakes can range in size from those that are so weak that they cannot be felt to those violent enough to propel objects and people into the air, and wreak destruction across entire cities.
Tremor
Precursor to an earthquake
A series of tremors were felt before the big quake.
Earthquake
A sudden movement of the earth's crust caused by the release of stress accumulated along geologic faults or by volcanic activity. Also called seism, temblor.
Tremor
A tremor is an involuntary, somewhat rhythmic, muscle contraction and relaxation involving oscillations or twitching movements of one or more body parts. It is the most common of all involuntary movements and can affect the hands, arms, eyes, face, head, vocal folds, trunk, and legs.
Earthquake
A shaking of the ground, caused by volcanic activity or movement around geologic faults.
Tremor
A shaking or vibrating movement, as of the earth.
Earthquake
(planetary geology) Such a quake specifically occurring on the planet Earth, as opposed to other celestial bodies.
Tremor
An involuntary trembling or quivering, as of the hands.
Earthquake
(figuratively) A sudden and intense upheaval; a severely disruptive event.
Tremor
A state or feeling of nervousness, worry, or excitement
The news sent tremors through the stock market.
Earthquake
(intransitive) To undergo an earthquake.
Tremor
A tremulous sound; a quaver
A tremor in her voice.
Earthquake
A shaking, trembling, or concussion of the earth, due to subterranean causes, often accompanied by a rumbling noise. The wave of shock sometimes traverses half a hemisphere, destroying cities and many thousand lives; - called also earthdin, earthquave, and earthshock.
Tremor
A shake, quiver, or vibration.
She felt a tremor in her stomach before going on stage.
Earthquake
Like, or characteristic of, an earthquake; loud; startling.
The earthquake voice of victory.
Tremor
A rhythmic, uncontrollable shaking of all or part of the body due to partial muscle contractions.
The optometrist has been losing patients ever since he developed tremors in his hand.
Earthquake
Shaking and vibration at the surface of the earth resulting from underground movement along a fault plane of from volcanic activity
Tremor
An earthquake.
Did you feel the tremor this morning?
Earthquake
A disturbance that is extremely disruptive;
Selling the company caused an earthquake among the employees
Tremor
To shake or quiver excessively and rapidly or involuntarily; to tremble.
Earthquake
Seismic ground shaking
The earthquake toppled buildings and cracked roads.
Tremor
A trembling; a shivering or shaking; a quivering or vibratory motion; as, the tremor of a person who is weak, infirm, or old.
He fell into an universal tremor of all his joints.
Earthquake
Catastrophic natural event
The city was unprepared for such a severe earthquake.
Tremor
An involuntary vibration (as if from illness or fear)
Tremor
A small earthquake
Tremor
Shaking or trembling (usually resulting from weakness or stress or disease)
Tremor
Shake with seismic vibrations;
The earth was quaking
Common Curiosities
How do earthquakes differ from tremors?
Earthquakes are larger seismic events that often cause noticeable ground shaking.
What defines a tremor?
A tremor is defined as a small, often unnoticed, shaking of the ground.
Is a tremor a sign of an impending earthquake?
Sometimes, but not all tremors lead to significant earthquakes.
Can tremors be felt by humans?
Tremors can be too small to feel, but some are noticeable.
Are all earthquakes preceded by tremors?
Not all earthquakes have detectable precursory tremors.
How long does a tremor last compared to an earthquake?
Tremors usually last shorter than earthquakes.
What magnitude on the Richter scale is considered an earthquake?
Any seismic event above magnitude 2.0 can be considered an earthquake.
Can human activities cause tremors or earthquakes?
Yes, activities like mining or reservoir-induced seismicity can cause both.
Can a tremor evolve into an earthquake?
A tremor can be a sign of seismic activity that may lead to an earthquake.
Are earthquake safety measures the same for tremors?
Yes, basic safety measures apply to both, though tremors usually require less preparation.
Can animals sense tremors or earthquakes?
Animals are thought to sometimes sense both before humans do.
What instruments measure tremors and earthquakes?
Seismographs measure both tremors and earthquakes.
Do tremors cause damage like earthquakes?
Tremors generally cause less damage compared to earthquakes.
Are tremors and earthquakes more common in certain areas?
Yes, they are more common near tectonic plate boundaries.
What should you do during a tremor or an earthquake?
Drop, cover, and hold on until the shaking stops.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
