What field of study focuses specifically on earthquakes?

Seismology is the field of study that specifically focuses on detecting, monitoring, and understanding earthquakes and related phenomena. It involves analyzing seismic waves generated by earthquakes to investigate their characteristics and mechanisms. Seismologists study the frequency, intensity, and distribution of earthquakes, enabling them to assess risks and improve earthquake preparedness and response. Through this specialized focus, seismology also plays a critical role in understanding the internal structure of the Earth and the dynamics of tectonic plate movements, which are essential for grasping the causes of earthquakes.

In contrast, geology encompasses a broader range of Earth sciences beyond just earthquakes, while geomorphology studies landforms and the processes that shape them. Tectonics refers specifically to the larger-scale movements and interactions of Earth's tectonic plates, which can lead to earthquakes, but it is not exclusively about the study of earthquakes themselves.