Earthquake (event)

The name or term "earthquake" refers to more than one character or idea. For a list of other meanings, see earthquake (disambiguation).

An earthquake is a Transformer-induced event in which the ground shakes and, almost invariably, splits open. The resulting rifts in the ground are usually drawn toward Transformers, often splitting the ground open right beneath them and causing them to fall in. The most common cause of earthquakes is the Decepticon Rumble hitting the ground with his arm-mounted pile drivers. Other common causes include Sludge walking, Ratchet falling over, and Grimlock stomping.

On very rare occasions, earthquakes have occurred spontaneously, from so-called "natural causes". However, most of these "natural causes" can also be traced back to Transformer activity, such as the Decepticons draining mysterious energy forces or moving alien planets into Earth orbit or the chaos god at the center of the planet waking up. Whether there is such a thing as a truly "natural" earthquake remains unknown, although at least one incident has been traced to human technology.

If it occurs on a metallic planet, then it may be called a cyberquake.

History

Generation 1

• Rumble is able to generate earthquakes using low frequency ground waves.
  • In the cartoon, Rumble's arms convert into pile drivers, which he uses to create earthquakes.
  • In the cartoon, Frenzy shares Rumble's ability.
• In the cartoon, Sludge was featured creating earthquakes, including one that countered Rumble's. S.O.S. Dinobots
• Earthquake used his ability to generate earthquakes (cybertronquakes?) in his battle with Tornado.
• It is quite likely Crasher can generate earthquakes by stomping her foot.
• It is also quite likely that the four Tremorcons can generate earthquakes.
• Cyberquakes occurred on the Cybertron of Primax 085.0 Eta due to an interdimensional energy drain from the Moebius of Gargent 087.0 Kappa. Ask Vector Prime, 2015/09/30

Shattered Glass

• Crasher has a seismic attack activated with her fists. Dungeons & Dinobots

Live-action film series

• Fracture has a seismic attack activated by stomping her foot. Movie Fracture toy bio

Aligned continuity family

• Earthquakes occurred when Unicron, who was acting as Earth's core, began to stir. One Shall Rise, Part 2 One Shall Rise, Part 3
• Earthquakes occurred when Doc Greene used a jukebox at the Hall of Inspiration that was wirelessly connected to a powerful subwoofer buried near the Griffin Rock fire station. Shake Up
• Madeline Pynch had an earthquake machine installed on Mrs. Neederlander's lawn in order to seize her house for the building of an island resort. The Rescue Bots found the machine before it could cause significant damage. Vanishing Returns