epicenter
epicenter — noun
1. the surface location directly above the underground origin of an earthquake
the surface location directly above the underground origin of an earthquake
Camila learned that the earthquake's epicenter was fifty kilometers west of the capital.
usually singular; used with 'of'
The epicenter of the quake was in a remote mountain area with very few houses.
After the ground stopped shaking, Asher checked the news report for the exact epicenter.
Buildings near the epicenter suffered much greater damage than those farther away.
The earthquake data helped Zola identify the epicenter a few miles off the coast.
- focus
strictly different — focus is the underground origin point, not the surface point
- hypocenter
technical term for the underground origin, not interchangeable with epicenter
文法句型
the epicenter of [noun]
用法筆記
Frequently used in news reports about earthquakes. The epicenter is on the surface; the underground starting point is called the focus or hypocenter.
常見錯誤
2. a place where something important, dangerous, or interesting is happening most s
a place where something important, dangerous, or interesting is happening most strongly
Tokyo became the epicenter of international fashion during the 1980s.
figurative; always followed by 'of'
The region has been the epicenter of political conflict for over a decade.
Ezra's small café became the epicenter of community life in the neighborhood.
The outbreak's epicenter was traced to a busy food market in the city center.
After the scandal broke, the newspaper office became the epicenter of media attention.
文法句型
the epicenter of [abstract noun]
用法筆記
This sense is almost always followed by 'of + abstract noun' (e.g., epicenter of controversy, epicenter of activity). Use heart or hub for more everyday contexts where a dramatic tone is not needed.