Boyd’s Bible Dictionary:
(earth-shaking). A natural and historic phenomenon (Amos 1:1; Zech. 14:5; 1 Kings 19:11-12; Matt. 27:51). Token of God’s wrath (Judg. 5:4; 2 Sam. 22:8; Psa. 77:18; 97:4; 104:32; Amos 8:8; Hab. 3:10).
Concise Bible Dictionary:
The first earthquake mentioned is when Elijah was told to stand before the Lord. There passed by a strong wind that rent the rocks, then an earthquake, and fire; but the Lord was not in the earthquake, nor in the fire; but in a still small voice: a lesson for Elijah when he was thinking much of himself (1 Kings 19:11-12). In the days of Uzziah there was a great earthquake, from which the people fled (Amos 1:1; Zech. 14:5). Josephus (Ant. 9. 10, 4) states that this happened when the king went into the temple and was struck with leprosy (2 Chron. 26:16-21).
There was an earthquake at the death of the Lord, and the rocks were rent, which drew from the centurion the saying, “Truly this was the Son of God” (Matt. 27:51, 54). There was also a great earthquake at the resurrection of the Lord (Matt. 28:2). When Paul and Barnabas were in the prison at Philippi there was a great earthquake that shook the prison, which led to the conversion of the jailor (Acts 16:26). Josephus (Ant. 15. 5, 2) relates the particulars of a dreadful earthquake in Palestine about B.C. 31, when as many as 10,000 of the inhabitants lost their lives.
In the future judgments on the earth, earthquakes are often mentioned (Isa. 29:6; Matt. 24:7; Mark 13:8; Luke 21:11; Rev. 6:12; Rev. 8:5; Rev. 11:13,19; Rev. 16:18). Symbolically they point to the upheaval of the lower masses of society, overthrowing the social system either partially or entirely.