Earthquakes are caused by the movement of tectonic plates which are the large and rigid pieces of the Earth’s crust that form the surface of the Earth. The plates move slowly due to convection currents in the Earth’s mantle. These movements create stresses and strains in the crust, leading to cracks and faults in the ground. When the accumulated stress exceeds the strength of the rock, it fractures and releases energy in the form of seismic waves, causing earthquakes. Other causes of earthquakes include volcanic eruptions, landslides, and human activities such as mining and damming.
