Jan 2, 2026 · Earthquakes produce four main types of seismic waves: two types, called body waves, move through the Earth’s interior, while the other two, known as surface waves, travel …

What is an earthquake and what causes them to happen? An earthquake is caused by a sudden slip on a fault. The tectonic plates are always slowly moving, but they get stuck at their edges …

May 6, 2025 · Most earthquakes occur along geological faults, particularly near tectonic plate boundaries. They range in magnitude from barely perceptible tremors to devastating events …

Earthquakes occur along tectonic plate boundaries and fault lines, where elastic deformations accumulate from rock friction. Seismic activity does not occur along the entire length of the fault.

Earthquakes are the result of sudden movement along faults within the Earth. The movement releases stored-up ‘elastic strain’ energy in the form of seismic waves, which propagate …

Most earthquakes occur at fault zones, where tectonic plates —giant rock slabs that make up Earth’s upper layer—collide or slide against each other. These impacts are usually gradual and...

Apr 1, 2025 · They are sudden and violent shaking of the ground that occurs when there is a release of energy in the Earth’s crust. This release of energy sends shockwaves, known as …

Sep 25, 2025 · An earthquake is an intense shaking of Earth’s surface. The shaking is caused by movements in Earth’s outermost layer. Why Do Earthquakes Happen? Although the Earth …

Earthquakes occur along the boundaries between tectonic plates or at the site of cracks within the plates, which are called faults. What causes earthquakes? The tectonic plates that make up …

May 30, 2024 · Earthquakes take place due to movements within the Earth's crust, resulting in shaking, shifting, or cracking of its surface. These “quakes” are caused by the passage of …