2007-03-09 02:59:10 · 4 answers · asked by Ivan 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
When two chunks of the Earth's crust are sliding past each other (or one is sliding under the other), they don't slide smoothly. They're not smooth, so they keep snagging on each other for a bit until the strain on the snag is great enough to pop it loose. When the snag pops loose and the two chunks jump forward, there's a shock that sends ripples outward in the chunks like ripples from a stone tossed in the water. Those ripples are what we feel as earthquakes.
2007-03-09 03:12:57 · answer #1 · answered by John R 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Earthquakes occur when tectonic plates move or when a volcano is erupting.
2007-03-09 21:59:59 · answer #2 · answered by Lyrad 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When the accumulated stress released in the tectonic plate boundary suddenly the earthquake occurs.Please visit my sites.
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2007-03-10 06:12:54 · answer #3 · answered by A.Ganapathy India 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tectonic plates sliding jerkily past each other.
2007-03-09 11:07:28 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋