what causes of earthquake? explain in detail.
Answers
Answer:
When there is sudden movement on the Earth's crust, earthquakes occur. Earthquakes are caused due to sudden lateral or vertical movements in the crust of the Earth. Or we can say that when tectonic plates ride over the other and cause the collision of orogeny or mountain building. The largest faults are formed on the surface of the Earth due to boundaries between moving plates. When there is relative motion between the plates, it is more severe. Circum-Pacific Belt is the most important earthquakes belt which affects several populated coastal regions around the Pacific Ocean like New Zealand, New Guinea, and Japan, etc. It is estimated that the energy about 80% is released in the earthquakes that come from those whose epicentres are in this belt. When the friction overcomes by mechanical stresses, the rocks slip and releases vast amounts of energy and is known as an earthquake. When there is motion between the plates, the stress increases and if it continues allows sliding over the locked portion of the fault and releases the stored energy as shock waves. In Rift valley, Africa such types of faults are seen known as Andreas fault in San Francisco.
Answer:
Earthquakes are usually caused when underground rock suddenly breaks and there is rapid motion along a fault. This sudden release of energy causes the seismic waves that make the ground shake.