The point on Earth’s surface directly above an earthquake’s origin is called the epicenter. An earthquake actually begins below ground at a location known as the hypocenter, or focus. The epicenter is the corresponding point vertically above it on the surface.
This distinction matters because the epicenter is not necessarily where the strongest shaking or greatest damage occurs. Earthquake ruptures can extend for many kilometers along a fault, and local geology, building quality and distance from different parts of the rupture can strongly influence damage. In some earthquakes, severe destruction occurs far from the mapped epicenter.
A common mix-up is confusing epicenter with hypocenter. The hypocenter is underground; the epicenter is above it at the surface. “Fault line” is also different: it describes the fracture or boundary in Earth’s crust along which movement occurs, rather than a single surface location.