How does an earhquake begin?

Answer 1

earthquakes are caused by the movement of tectonic plates, volcanic eruptions or fault lines. earthquakes have what's called an epicenter, or the point at which it starts. From there, there are a series of three waves that erupt. P, S and surface waves. P waves are twice as fast as s waves and are useful in detecting earth quakes before the third waev arrives. P waves come first, then s, and finally, the surface or land waves come. These are the ones than destroy the ground in an actual wave like movement. Land waves are very slow, that's why it's useful in detecting the p waves, then an area can be evaucuated before the land waves come.

Answer 2

An earthquake begins when stress in the Earth's crust builds up and is suddenly released along a fault line, causing the rocks on either side to slip and move. This movement generates seismic waves that travel through the Earth, causing the ground to shake.