What does an earthquake do to the lithosphere?

Answer 1

An earthquake dissipates energy that has been built up in the lithosphere. This energy builds up due to the movement of the earth's tectonic plates. Where two tectonic plates interact (especially at collision or strike slip boundaries), the plates can become locked. This causes the lithosphere at these points to begin to deform causing a build of energy in the form of elastic strain. When the stress exceeds the strength of the rockmass, there is a sudden release of all the stored energy due to the occurrence of brittle failure where a fracture (or fault) is able to propagate through the material.

Answer 2

Judging by the fact that the majority of earthquakes do take place around plate boundaries, I think that plate boundaries can cause earthquakes. When plates go under, crash, or go above each other it causes a tremor which we call an earthquake. But just because a certain area is not on or around a plate boundary does not mean that an earthquake can not happen. Take the New Madrid, Missouri earthquake of 1812 for example. It is not that close to a boundary but an earthquake still happened. Even though I answered this question I would suggest that you look further into it for I am merely a 13 year old kid.

Answer 3

No the tectonic plates do. When they come together and rub, the earth shakes, but you can never tell how strong the earthquake will be, it only depends on where the fault line is located.

^^^^^^^^^^

THE PERSON ABOVE ME SUCKED OF A HORSE

mantles heat at the bottom and make a convection currents which makes the tectonic plates move.

Answer 4

The lithosphere consists of earth's crust and the upper part of the mantle and is divided into mobile sections called tectonic plates. As these plates move relative to one another earthquakes occur at their boundaries.

Answer 5

== == Earthquakes are caused by the release of frictional tension between Earth's colliding tectonic plates. The tectonic plates are part of the lithosphere.

Answer 6

yes

Answer 7

Yes