GEOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -The theory of plate tectonics revolutionized the earth sciences by explaining how the movement of geologic plates causes mountain building, volcanoes, and earthquakes.

Detailed explanation-2: -At the “seams” where tectonic plates come in contact, the crustal rocks may grind violently against each other, causing earthquakes and volcano eruptions. The relatively fast movement of the tectonic plates under California explains the frequent earthquakes that occur there.

Detailed explanation-3: -Stress is the force applied to a rock and may cause deformation. The three main types of stress are typical of the three types of plate boundaries: compression at convergent boundaries, tension at divergent boundaries, and shear at transform boundaries.

Detailed explanation-4: -Compressive stress happens at convergent plate boundaries where two plates move toward each other. Tensional stress happens at divergent plate boundaries where two plates are moving away from each other. Shear stress is experienced at transform boundaries where two plates are sliding past each other.

Detailed explanation-5: -The movement of plates sometimes creates stress in the rocks, causing them to stretch and crack. This process is called faulting.