What causes an earthquake?

The cause of an earthquake is primarily linked to the sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust. When stress builds up in the rocks due to various geological processes, it can eventually surpass the strength of the rocks, leading to a rupture along a fault line. This release of energy generates seismic waves, which we experience as the shaking of the ground during an earthquake.

While the movement of tectonic plates plays a crucial role in the generation of earthquakes, it is essentially the mechanism that contributes to the buildup of stress and the eventual release of energy. Therefore, the sudden release of energy can be seen as a more direct cause of the earthquake itself, as it is this release that initiates the seismic activity felt at the surface.