Earthquake vs. Fissure — What's the Difference?

Measured by seismographs.

Often associated with ground stretching.

Often occurs near tectonic plate boundaries.

Can appear during volcanic eruptions.

Can trigger tsunamis and landslides.

Can be several meters deep.

A sudden and violent shaking of the ground.

A long, narrow opening in the earth's surface.

A result of underground geological forces.

Affects local topography.

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.

In anatomy, a fissure (Latin fissura, plural fissurae) is a groove, natural division, deep furrow, elongated cleft, or tear in various parts of the body. It is also generally called a sulcus, but this term can also reffer specifically to the analagous brain structure.

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.

A long narrow opening; a crack or cleft.

A shaking of the ground, caused by volcanic activity or movement around geologic faults.

The process of splitting or separating; division.

(planetary geology) Such a quake specifically occurring on the planet Earth, as opposed to other celestial bodies.

A separation into subgroups or factions; a schism.

(figuratively) A sudden and intense upheaval; a severely disruptive event.

(Anatomy) A normal groove or furrow, as in the liver or brain, that divides an organ into lobes or parts.

(intransitive) To undergo an earthquake.

(Medicine) A break in the skin, usually where it joins a mucous membrane, producing a cracklike sore or ulcer.

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.

To form a crack or cleft or cause a crack or cleft in.

Like, or characteristic of, an earthquake; loud; startling.

A long, narrow crack or opening made by breaking or splitting, especially in rock or earth.

Shaking and vibration at the surface of the earth resulting from underground movement along a fault plane of from volcanic activity

(anatomy) A groove, deep furrow, elongated cleft or tear between body parts or in the substance of an organ; a sulcus.

A disturbance that is extremely disruptive;

(anatomy) A break or slit in tissue usually at the junction of skin and mucous membrane.

A state of incompatibility or disagreement.

To split, forming fissures.

A narrow opening, made by the parting of any substance; a cleft; as, the fissure of a rock.

To cleave; to divide; to crack or fracture.

A long narrow depression in a surface

A long narrow opening

(anatomy) a long narrow slit or groove that divides an organ into lobes

Break into fissures or fine cracks

Earthquakes are detected using seismographs, which record the intensity and duration of ground vibrations.

Fissures can be dangerous if they compromise structural integrity or open suddenly in populated areas.

Fissures form due to the stretching or fracturing of the earth’s surface, often influenced by tectonic or volcanic activity.

Yes, strong earthquakes can lead to the formation of fissures, especially near the epicenter or along fault lines.

Earthquakes can occur nearly anywhere, while fissures are more commonly found in volcanic and rift zones.

Fissures can alter landscapes, affect water drainage patterns, and create new ecological niches.

Earthquakes are caused by the sudden release of stress along faults in the Earth's crust.

There are often minor tremors and changes in animal behavior, but no reliable short-term warning signs.

Large fissures often cannot be "repaired" but can be managed through engineering solutions to mitigate hazards.

Yes, both can cause significant damage; earthquakes through shaking and fissures by ground displacement.

Scientists measure fissures using ground surveys and sometimes remote sensing techniques to determine their length, width, and displacement.

Fissures can remain for extended periods, often becoming more pronounced with subsequent geological activity.

Earthquakes can affect various terrains but are more destructive in areas with loose, water-saturated soils.

Fissures often occur in regions where tectonic plates are pulling apart, such as in rift valleys or mid-ocean ridges.

Drop, cover, and hold on; stay indoors if inside, away from windows and exterior walls.