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It result from the moving of rock deep under the ground. This movement is caused by the rubbing of one plate into another. The plates have jagged edges, and so when they rub against each other, they get stuck. Since plates constantly move, the plates that are stuck create great tension, and when they are finally free, a huge amount of energy is released. Shock waves move from focus in all directions, and it causes the earth to vibrate.
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoAn earthquake is caused by a sudden slip on a fault. The tectonic plates are always slowly moving, but they get stuck at their edges due to friction. When the stress on the edge overcomes the friction, there is an earthquake that releases energy in waves that travel through the earth's crust and cause the shaking that we feel.
This accumulation of stress causes the rocks that make up the crust to deform elastically. This is very similar to what happens when you squash or stretch a spring and causes a form of energy to be stored in the rocks of the crust - technically described as elastic potential energy.
When this stress gets too large, it exceeds the strength of the rocks in the crust and causes a brittle failure. Brittle failures are failures where fractures form through the material.
This sudden brittle failure causes all of the elastic potential energy to be released at one time in the form of seismic waves, just as if a spring or elastic band that was being stretched suddenly snapped.
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoSeismic waves are caused by a sudden slip on a fault. The tectonic plates are always slowly moving, but they get stuck at their edges due to friction. When the stress on the edge overcomes the friction, there is an earthquake that releases energy in waves that travel through the earth's crust and cause the shaking that we feel.
This accumulation of stress causes the rocks that make up the crust to deform elastically. This is very similar to what happens when you squash or stretch a spring and causes a form of energy to be stored in the rocks of the crust - technically described as elastic potential energy.
When this stress gets to large, it exceeds the strength of the rocks in the crust and causes a brittle failure. Brittle failures are failures where fractures form through the material.
This sudden brittle failure causes all of the elastic potential energy to be released at one time in the form of seismic waves, just as if a spring or elastic band that was being stretched suddenly snapped.
These seismic waves cause the tremors that people feel on the surface and which can cause damage to buildings and other structures.
Wiki User
∙ 9y agoSeismic waves occur when earthquakes happen. The seismic waves are what scientists use the measure how strong the earthquake was on the Richter scale.
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoSeismic waves are mostly caused by earthquakes, although they can also be created by explosions - something that is mainly used in geological research.
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoearthquakes are made because some metal plates in the middle of the earth go close to each others then were ever it is near that place will have a earthquake we have never had one in England
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoBecause of the release of kinetic energy.
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoEarthquakes produce seismic waves.
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How does an earthquake affect a tsunami?
A earthquake can push the plates underwater and be forced up quckily.This pushes the water up rapidly and creates a tsunami.
How are earthqakes are caused?
An earthquake is the result of a sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust that creates seismic waves.
Are volcanoes formed when tectonic plates are moving?
When the tectonic plates cause earthquake, it creates a crater in earth. This opening can lead to a volcano.
What does volcanoes and earthquakes create?
Well, a volcano can cause a lot of damage, it can create igneous rocks. An Earthquake can create MAJOR damage and i am not sure what it creates but go on google and you can find the answer on there
Can poseidon control earthquakes?
Poseidon is the god fo the sea. His trident, when pounded on the ground, creates a earthquake. Poseidon doesn't earthquake-that doesn't even make sense- but he is the god of earthquakes. Was that your question? I hope so. Tahnk you!
Energy released during an earthquake creates?
Energy released during an earthquake creates seismic waves.
A combination of wave from a smaller wave?
it creates a earthquake!
When 2 slabs of rock collide what happens?
An earthquake . . . the tectonic plates are slabs of rock and when thy shift, it creates an earthquake.
What is the term for a water wave that creates an underwater earthquake?
When an underwater earthquake displacing a large volume of sea water the effect could be a tsunami (tidal wave).
When can a earthquake happen?
When the earth's techtonic plates come together at just the right angle and one goes slightly up it creates an earthquake
How does an earthquake affect a tsunami?
A earthquake can push the plates underwater and be forced up quckily.This pushes the water up rapidly and creates a tsunami.
How is an earhquake started?
An earthquake is started when two plates (which lie under the Earths surface) rub together this creates movement which then sometimes pulls/pushes at the earths surface and creates giant cracks in the earths surface... and that is how an earthquake is started.
Can earthquakes cause volcano erruptions?
Earthquakes can cause volcanos to errupt by the plates moving and crashing into one other which creates an earthquake(when plates collide it causs an earthquake) so the force of the earthquake causes a volcano erruption.
How are earthqakes are caused?
An earthquake is the result of a sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust that creates seismic waves.
What would happens when two of the plates of the earth's crust are colliding together?
I pretty sure that is creates an earthquake.
What is the difference between a tsunmi and an earthquake?
the difference between a tsunami and an earth quake is an earthquake is when the tectonic plates collide in some form a tsunami is an underwater earthquake that creates a huge tidal wave. that is very basic but i hope it helps!
Why do earthquakes mostly happen along tectonic plates boundaries?
Becuase when the tectonic plates shift or move, it creates an earthquake. so the closer to the tectonic plates, the more strong the earthquake.
