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Sliding plates are involved in earthquakes but I wouldn't say that they are responsible. Why do they slide?

The Earth's mantle contains radioactive material which heats the mantle, and the heating is not entirely even since the distribution of radioactive material is also not entirely even. When heat builds up in one location, it causes convection currents; the hotter molten rock will rise. These currents at some point rub against the continental plates that float on top of the mantle. This causes the plates to slowly move. At some point, colliding plates, or plates that slide underneath other plates, will result in an earthquake.

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15y ago

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Related Questions

Do earthquakes cause sliding plates?

If you mean tetonic plates, then no, sliding tetonic plates cause earthquakes.


What do sliding plates release that causes earthquakes?

Sliding plates release tension and energy to cause earthquakes.


What is most damaged by earthquakes?

Most earthquakes are caused by plates sliding aginst each other.


Where do Most earthquakes happen at the edge of?

Most earthquakes happen at the edge of tectonic plates, where the plates are colliding or sliding past each other. These areas are known as plate boundaries, and the stress and friction from the movement of the plates can lead to earthquakes.


What does sliding plates cause?

Sliding plates, also known as transform plate boundaries, cause horizontal sliding between two tectonic plates. This movement can result in earthquakes along the boundary as the plates grind past each other.


Large crustal plates moving on the earth's surface are?

called tectonic plates. These plates can move in different directions, either colliding, moving apart, or sliding past each other. Their movement is responsible for phenomena such as earthquakes, volcanic activity, and the formation of mountain ranges.


How does earthquakes happen in japan?

Like anywhere else, the earthquakes in Japan were caused by tectonic plates sliding against each other.


What is happening to the plates along the fault?

sliding up next to each other causing earthquakes


Many strong earthquakes are caused by what?

Many strong earthquakes are caused by the movement of tectonic plates along fault lines. This movement creates stress in the Earth's crust, which is eventually released in the form of an earthquake. The sudden release of energy can result in significant ground shaking and damage.


What are underground plates called?

Underground plates are called tectonic plates. These plates are large pieces of the Earth's lithosphere that move and interact with each other, causing phenomena such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.


What type of plate has plates sliding past each other?

A transform plate boundary has plates sliding past each other horizontally. This movement can result in earthquakes due to friction and pressure build-up along the boundary.


Are earthquakes caused by plates sliding past each other?

Yes, earthquakes are primarily caused by the movement of tectonic plates. When two plates slide past each other, get stuck, and then suddenly release, it generates seismic waves that we feel as earthquakes.