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Explain Bot Earthquakes are primarily caused by the movement and interaction of tectonic plates, which are large sections of the Earth's crust and upper mantle. There are three main types of plate boundaries where these movements occur:
1. Divergent boundaries: These occur when two plates move away from each other. Magma rises to fill the gap, creating new crust. As this process happens, earthquakes are commonly experienced, although they are usually of low-magnitude.
2. Convergent boundaries: These occur when two plates collide. Depending on the type of crust involved, the impact can result in subduction or collision. Subduction happens when one plate is forced beneath another, and can lead to intense seismic activity, including powerful earthquakes. Collision occurs when two plates of similar density collide, causing the crust to buckle, fold, and uplift, resulting in earthquakes.
3. Transform boundaries: These occur when two plates slide past each other horizontally. As the plates move in opposite directions but are still in contact, they often get "stuck" due to friction. When the stress on the plates overcomes this friction, it causes the plates to slip suddenly, generating a strong earthquake.
It's important to note that not all earthquakes are directly related to tectonic plate movements. Other causes can include volcanic activity, human activities such as mining or reservoir-induced seismicity (triggered by the filling of large reservoirs), and even natural processes like landslides.