epicenters
Seismic ground zeros
Epicenters is the plural of epicenter, the point on Earth's surface directly above an earthquake's origin: The epicenters of both quakes were offshore.
Figuratively, an epicenter is the focal point of activity or crisis: Several cities became epicenters of the outbreak.
The figurative use sometimes draws criticism for imprecision, but it's well established.
Seismic ground movement
- faultImperfection or blame
- tremorInvoluntary rhythmic shaking
- hypocenterEarthquake's underground origin point
- magnitudeSize or scale
seismograph · rupture · aftershock · tectonic · shockwave · Richter · seismology · focal
Central connection point
- focal pointCenter of interest
- hotspotArea of notable activity
- nucleusCentral controlling part
- heartCirculatory system's pump
nexus · ground zero · core · locus · hotbed · cradle · flashpoint · concentration
Area of notable activity
- clusterGathered group nearby
- spreadTo distribute widely
- transmissionSending of information
- contagionDisease spread by contact
patient zero · vector · containment · surge · community spread · viral load · superspreader · quarantine zone
earthquake
Seismic ground movement
- faultImperfection or blame
- tremorInvoluntary rhythmic shaking
- hypocenterEarthquake's underground origin point
magnitude · seismograph · rupture · aftershock · tectonic · shockwave · Richter · seismology · focal · quake
hub
Central connection point
- focal pointCenter of interest
- hotspotArea of notable activity
- nucleusCentral controlling part
heart · nexus · ground zero · core · locus · hotbed · cradle · flashpoint · concentration · origin
hotspot
Area of notable activity
- clusterGathered group nearby
- spreadTo distribute widely
- transmissionSending of information
contagion · patient zero · vector · containment · surge · community spread · viral load · superspreader · quarantine zone · Wuhan
epicentersperipheries
Outer boundary areas
margins · fringes · outskirts · edges · boundaries