Foreshocks are less likely to do damage than aftershocks because they're smaller in magnitude. ... In fact, aftershocks may be so strong that they're stronger than the main quake. When this happens the aftershock will be renamed as the main quake, and the main quake will be considered a foreshock.

Are aftershocks stronger or weaker?

Although aftershocks tend to be weaker events relative to the power of the main quake, some aftershocks have caused significant damage.

How damaging is an earthquake?

The damage caused by earthquakes is from ground shaking, ground rupture, landslides, tsunamis, and liquefaction. Earthquake damage from fires is the most important secondary effect. ... Northridge, at a 6.7 magnitude earthquake, killed 58 people, injured more than 9,000 and caused more than $49 billion in economic loss.