Difference between Earthquake and Volcano | Earthquake vs Volcano

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Paper : Miscellaneous Differences FAQs | Platform : Vs or Differences FAQs | Category : General FAQs

Answer may be:

Both earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are natural disasters causing the destruction of life and property on a large scale.

What is an Earthquake?

It occurs when there is movement in tectonic plates in the earth's lithosphere, causing seismic waves which result in earthquakes. The intensity of the earthquake varies which is measured on the Richter scale. Earth's crust is made up of many tectonic plates, which when slide again to each other and sometimes get stuck to one another and in the process of unsticking result in an earthquake. The point where it starts below the earth's surface is named as hypocenter and the location above that surface is called the epicenter.

What is Volcano?

Volcanoes on the other hand are vents or openings in the earth’s crust through which lava and gases escape out into the earth’s atmosphere. The extremely hot lava and other gases that escape out are referred to as Magma. This erosion of magma causes an explosion. A volcano can be:

Dormant - Which has not erupted in recent but might erupt in the future.
Active - Most is likely to erupt in near future.
Extinct - Extinct Volcano did not erupt in a long time like over 1000 years, so no chance of an eruption.

Let us now understand the differences in the table given below

Earthquake	Volcano
It is the trembling of the earth's surface.	A volcano erupts through a vent or opening in the crust of the earth.
When there is the movement of tectonic plates, an earthquake happens.	When there is a high pressure in the magma found below the earth’s surface, a volcano erupts.
It is sudden in nature causing huge damages.	Normally people are aware of any active volcanoes, so they don’t reside in that area which prevents loss.