Imagine you're playing with building blocks. If one side of the block pile moves and the other doesn't, it can cause a shake. Earthquakes work like this: tectonic plates move underground, and when they suddenly shift, the ground above shakes.
What Are Tectonic Plates?
Tectonic plates are huge slabs that make up the Earth's surface. They float on something called the mantle, which is like a hot, slow-moving soup beneath them.
When Do They Shake?
Sometimes, the plates get stuck and then suddenly move. This sudden movement sends shockwaves through the ground, causing an earthquake.
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See also
- How Do Earthquakes Affect the Shape of the Land?
- How Are Mountains Formed?
- What Causes a ‘Volcano’ to Erupt and How Is It Different from an Earthquake?
- What Causes the ‘Ring of Fire’ Volcanic Belt?
- What Causes the ‘Ring of Fire’ Around the Pacific?
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