Blocks of rust slide against one another, often at plate boundaries cause
A. Floods
B. Tsunamis
C. Hurricanes
D. Earthquakes
D. Earthquakes
D. Earthquakes.
The correct answer is D. Earthquakes.
To understand why blocks of rust (referring to tectonic plates) sliding against one another often causes earthquakes at plate boundaries, we need to understand the concept of plate tectonics.
The Earth's outer shell, known as the lithosphere, is made up of several large and small plates. These plates are constantly moving, albeit very slowly, due to the underlying convective movements in the semi-fluid layer called the asthenosphere. The boundaries between these plates are known as plate boundaries.
There are three main types of plate boundaries: divergent boundaries, convergent boundaries, and transform boundaries. It is the interaction between these plate boundaries that leads to earthquakes.
At convergent boundaries, two plates collide with each other. This collision can occur when two oceanic plates converge, or when an oceanic plate collides with a continental plate. In both cases, one plate is forced beneath the other in a process known as subduction, forming a deep ocean trench. As the subducting plate descends into the mantle, it causes intense pressure and friction. This pressure builds up over time and when it exceeds the strength of the rocks, it suddenly releases, causing an earthquake.
At transform boundaries, two plates slide past each other horizontally. Here, the plates are not colliding or moving apart but instead are shearing past each other. The fault lines that form along these boundaries can become locked due to friction. As the plates try to slide, the friction builds up stress along the fault line until it is overcome by a sudden release of energy, resulting in an earthquake.
So, when blocks of rust slide against one another, often at plate boundaries, the friction and pressure buildup between these moving plates can cause significant seismic activity, leading to earthquakes.