Earthquakes: What They Are and What Causes Them
What is an Earthquake?
An earthquake is a sudden shaking of the Earth's crust caused by the release of energy below the surface. This energy can come from a variety of sources, including the movement of tectonic plates, volcanic eruptions, and man-made explosions.
Earthquakes can be classified into two main types:
- Tectonic earthquakes are the most common type of earthquake, and they are caused by the movement of tectonic plates. When two tectonic plates collide, one plate may be forced to move beneath the other, causing the ground above to shake.
- Volcanic earthquakes are caused by the movement of magma beneath the Earth's surface. As magma rises, it can cause the ground to shake.
Man-made earthquakes are caused by human activities, such as mining, fracking, and nuclear testing.
Causes of Earthquakes
The most common cause of earthquakes is the movement of tectonic plates. The Earth's crust is made up of a number of tectonic plates, which are constantly moving. When two tectonic plates collide, one plate may be forced to move beneath the other, causing the ground above to shake.
Other causes of earthquakes include volcanic eruptions, landslides, and man-made explosions.
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