Why are some earthquakes stronger than others?

Earthquakes are caused by the sudden release of energy stored in the Earth’s crust, usually in connection with the movement of tectonic plates. The size and strength of an earthquake depend on the amount of energy released and the distance from the epicenter.

Earthquakes that occur deeper underground or closer to the epicenter will be felt more strongly than those located farther away from the epicenter. Additionally, larger earthquakes tend to cause more severe shaking and damage because they generate higher amplitude seismic waves, which travel greater distances than smaller waves.