(I) Earthquakes are the result of forces deep within Earth's interior that continuously affect its surface. (II) The energy from these forces is stored in a variety of ways within the rocks. (III) Although the Richter Scale has no upper limit, the largest known shocks have had magnitudes in the 8.8 to 8.9 range. (IV) When this energy is released suddenly by rupturing movements along faults in the crust of Earth, an earthquake results. (V) The area of the fault where the sudden rupture takes place is called the focus of the earthquake, while the point on Earth's surface directly above the focus is called the epicentre of the earthquake.