GEOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Earthquakes occur when energy stored in elastically strained rocks is suddenly released. This release of energy causes intense ground shaking in the area near the source of the earthquake and sends waves of elastic energy, called seismic waves, throughout the Earth.

Detailed explanation-2: -Earthquakes can happen when the strain on weak rocks forces them to break and fracture.

Detailed explanation-3: -As time goes by, the movement of the plates causes the rocks around the fault to bend and stretch. That, in turn, causes the rocks to store energy, like compressed springs. Eventually, friction across the fault isn’t able to hold the rocks back, and a crack is created across the fault as it begins to slip.

Detailed explanation-4: -While most earthquakes are caused by the slipping of tectonic plates, minor earthquakes can also be caused by volcanic eruptions, collapse of rock formations on Earth’s surface, or underground explosions.

Detailed explanation-5: -Rocks that are stressed beyond their ability to stretch can rupture, allowing the rest of the rock to snap back to its original shape. The snapping back of the rock returning to its original shape causes the rock to vibrate, and this is what causes the shaking during an earthquake.