Technical term for the point on the Earth's surface directly above the focus of an earthquake. Compare with 震源 (hypocenter).
See also: 震源
The epicenter is estimated to be about 50 kilometers offshore.
震央付近では強い揺れが観測された。
Strong shaking was observed near the epicenter.
震源 is the underground point where an earthquake originates, while 震央 is the point on the surface directly above it.
epicentral distance
Compound of 震 (shin, 'earthquake') and 央 (ō, 'center').