Hypocenter vs. Epicenter

Main Difference

The main difference between Hypocenter and Epicenter is that the Hypocenter is a site of an earthquake or a nuclear explosion and Epicenter is a point on the Earth’s surface that is directly above the hypocentre or focus in an earthquake.

• Hypocenter

  A hypocenter (or hypocentre) (from Ancient Greek: ὑπόκεντρον [hypόkentron] for ‘below the center’) is the point of origin of an earthquake or a subsurface nuclear explosion. In seismology, it is a synonym of the focus. The term hypocenter is also used as a synonym for ground zero, the surface point directly beneath a nuclear airburst.

• Epicenter

  The epicenter, epicentre or epicentrum in seismology is the point on the Earth’s surface directly above a hypocenter or focus, the point where an earthquake or an underground explosion originates.