Definitions for "AFTERSHOCKS"
Follow-up earthquakes that occur after the first earthquake and are usually smaller than the first one.
Earthquakes that follow the largest shock of an earthquake sequence. They are smaller than the mainshock and within 1-2 fault lengths distance from the mainshock fault. Aftershocks can continue over a period of weeks, months, or years. In general, the larger the mainshock, the larger and more numerous the aftershocks, and the longer they will continue.
The series of smaller earthquakes that follow a major earthquake.