地震 (dìzhèn) means "earthquake," combining 地 (earth/ground) and 震 (to shake). It is the standard term used in both everyday speech and news reporting. For example, 最严重的地震 means "the most severe earthquake."
昨天半夜发生了一场地震,把大家都吓醒了。
Zuótiān bànyè fāshēng le yì chǎng dìzhèn, bǎ dàjiā dōu xià xǐng le.
An earthquake struck in the middle of last night and startled everyone awake.
日本是一个地震频发的国家。
Rìběn shì yí gè dìzhèn pínfā de guójiā.
Japan is a country where earthquakes occur frequently.
那次地震造成了严重的损失。
Nà cì dìzhèn zàochéng le yánzhòng de sǔnshī.
That earthquake caused severe losses.