Question
- Why do earthquakes occur?
A. because of heavy rain in the area
B. because of landslide down the slope
C. because of over population in the community
D. because of the sudden movement of the plates
A. because of heavy rain in the area
B. because of landslide down the slope
C. because of over population in the community
D. because of the sudden movement of the plates
Ask by Huang Frank. in the Philippines
Mar 26,2025
Upstudy AI Solution
Tutor-Verified Answer
Answer
Earthquakes happen because of the sudden movement of tectonic plates.
Solution
The correct answer is:
D. because of the sudden movement of the plates.
Earthquakes occur primarily due to the sudden release of energy in the Earth’s crust, which creates seismic waves. This release of energy is often caused by the movement of tectonic plates along faults. The other options (A, B, and C) do not directly cause earthquakes.
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Earthquakes occur predominantly due to the sudden movement of tectonic plates, which are massive slabs that make up the Earth’s surface. These movements can happen because of various geophysical processes, such as stress accumulation and release at tectonic boundaries, where plates might collide, pull apart, or slide past each other. When the strain exceeds the strength of the rocks, it results in a sudden release of energy, causing seismic waves that we feel as earthquakes.
Interestingly, while it might not seem obvious, the impact of human activities can also influence seismic activity! For instance, large reservoirs created by damming rivers can induce earthquakes due to changes in underground pressures. Moreover, geothermal energy extraction and fracking have been linked to an increase in minor seismic events. So, our interaction with the Earth can sometimes shake things up—quite literally!
