SafekipediaEarthquakes are natural events that can shake the ground. The biggest shake in a group of earthquakes is called a mainshock. It is like the largest wave in a series of waves.
Sometimes, smaller shakes happen before the mainshock. These are called foreshocks. We only know they were foreshocks after the big mainshock happens.
After the mainshock, many smaller shakes can follow. These are called aftershocks. They happen because the Earth is still moving and adjusting.
Scientists study mainshocks to learn how the Earth works. This helps people build safer buildings and prepare for future earthquakes.
This article is a child-friendly adaptation of the Wikipedia article on Mainshock, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
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