Does a small earthquake ADD pressure or RELEASE pressure from the fault it originated from.?

Question

I always thought that a small earthquake relieved pressure. Sorta like blowing off steam... But then I heard that It doesn't. What do you think? Anyone have any good facts?

Answer 1

It usually releases pressure. An earthquake is when two continental plates are drifting, either toward or against one another, and the plates buckle until they snap.

Answer 2

It releases pressure of the fault line it originated from, however it can and usually does cause more pressure in a fault line somewhere else...