Why do earthquakes happen in the ocean?

Answer 1

Land masses float on the magma of the Earth's mantle. Heat within the Earth caused by radioactive decay causes convection currents in the magma which move floating land masses and cause stress leading to earthquakes.

Answer 2

Earthquakes under water and earthquakes on land are caused by exactly the same geological force, as mentioned by the first answer. If there happens to be water above the earthquake, then it is an underwater earthquake, but there is no difference as to the cause.

Answer 3

There are plates that make up the earth's surface and sometimes when they move around each other they 'snag' which means they can't get past each other so they pull and pull and pull and eventually they suddenly whoosh past each other and cause an earthquake to happen.

Answer 4

Earthquakes under the ocean are caused by the same phenomenon that cause earthquakes anywhere. The earth's surface (crust) is made up of many pieces, like a jigsaw puzzle. These pieces move relative to one another. But, if they're touching they're sort of stuck together and one may want to rise or sink. It tugs at the adjacent one until it comes loose and suddenly moves up or down relative to the other. This sudden movement causes an earthquake.

Answer 5

Because there are fault lines all over the planet and some just so happen to be in the ocean as they cover more than 2 thirds of the Earth's surface.

Answer 6

Earthquakes occur on the Earth's Surface which includes the ocean. Tectonic Plates are in the ocean also, so I would say yes there are Earthquakes in the ocean.

Answer 7

it could possibly change the direction of the ocean

Answer 8

earthquakes can happen anywhere where a fault is. If there's an earthquake in the ocean its probably because a fault is located near.

Answer 9

the earquake under the ocean cause tsunamis.