What causes earthquakes?(1 point)
Responses
construction issues and building irregularities
construction issues and building irregularities
sudden motions in Earth's mantle cause the crust to shift
sudden motions in Earth's mantle cause the crust to shift
tectonic plates expand and cause shaking
tectonic plates expand and cause shaking
blocks of crust slide/rub against one another, often at plate boundaries called faults
blocks of crust slide/rub against one another, often at plate boundaries called faults
All of the above responses are correct. Construction issues and building irregularities can contribute to the intensity of an earthquake, but the main cause of earthquakes is the sudden motion in Earth's mantle, which causes the crust to shift. This motion is caused by the movement and interaction of tectonic plates, which can expand and cause shaking. Additionally, blocks of crust sliding or rubbing against each other, typically at plate boundaries called faults, can also lead to earthquakes.
The causes of earthquakes include:
1. Construction issues and building irregularities: Poor construction practices and design flaws in buildings can contribute to the severity of damage during an earthquake, but they do not directly cause the earthquakes themselves.
2. Sudden motions in Earth's mantle cause the crust to shift: Earthquakes occur due to the sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust as a result of tectonic plate movement. When stress accumulates within the Earth's crust, it can cause the rocks to fracture and produce seismic waves.
3. Tectonic plates expand and cause shaking: Earthquakes are primarily caused by the movement and interaction of tectonic plates. These giant slabs of the Earth's crust float on the underlying semi-fluid mantle. When two plates interact, it can result in either a boundary where they converge, diverge, or slide past each other. These movements generate seismic activity.
4. Blocks of crust slide/rub against one another, often at plate boundaries called faults: Earthquakes commonly occur along faults, which are fractures in the Earth's crust. When stress accumulates along a fault line and exceeds the strength of the rocks, the blocks of crust will slide or rub against each other, releasing energy in the form of an earthquake.