What happens when jagged edges of rock plates grind past each other? (1 point)
subduction
volcanic formation
an earthquake
a mountain chain
Earthquake
Earthquake I believe but make sure about that since Iām not certain
When jagged edges of rock plates grind past each other, the result is an earthquake.
When jagged edges of rock plates grind past each other, the primary result is an earthquake. The friction between the plates causes stress to build up over time. When the stress exceeds the strength of the rocks, they slip past each other, releasing a massive amount of stored energy in the form of seismic waves. These waves travel through the Earth, causing the ground to shake and potentially leading to damage to structures and the Earth's surface.
To understand why this happens, we need to understand the concept of tectonic plates. The Earth's outermost layer, known as the lithosphere, is broken into several large and small pieces called tectonic plates. These plates constantly move, albeit at an extremely slow pace, due to the convective currents in the underlying hot mantle.
When two plates interact at their boundaries and their edges become jagged, it is typically occurring along a transform boundary. Transform boundaries occur when two plates slide horizontally past each other, moving in opposite directions. As the plates slide, their rough and jagged edges become locked due to the friction between them. The continued movement of the plates pushes against this friction, causing the stress and strain to build up until it is released in the form of an earthquake.
So, in summary, when jagged edges of rock plates grind past each other along a transform boundary, it results in an earthquake as the accumulated stress is released in the form of seismic waves.