In graphics | The science of earthquakes, explained

“We are so scared that we haven’t gone inside for days now.”

In Afghanistan, two massive earthquakes have rattled people and left them scared and scarred. The first – a 6.3-strong quake – struck last Saturday (8 October) with its epicentre in northwest city of Herat. Then came the second one on Wednesday (11 October), another 6.3-magnitude quake, rocking the same area.

The two quakes have led to massive destruction to the poor country and also claimed the lives of more than 1,000 people. This came after authorities revised the death toll from the first quake, attributing the confusion to the remoteness of the area and double reporting by agencies involved in the rescue effort.

But why do earthquakes occur? Here’s everything you should know if you want to become a ‘quake’ expert.

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