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Earthquakes Shake Terribly and It's Not Your Fault.

This site is purely informational. We aim to create a place where seismologists, geophysicists, geologists, and the general public can exchange ideas.. Please send contributions to admin@earthquakes.gs

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Why do Earthquakes Happen?

Earthquakes happen because that is how the earth was created. Does that help? Seriously, earthquakes are the result of tectonic plates that push into each other, pull away from each other, or move in opposite directions. The strain on the rock causes breakage and the resulting energy moves in a wavelike motion that can disrupt buildings and hurt people.

The main reason it happens is that the earth's crust is floating. It is a bit flexible and convection currents move the tectonic plates. When the plates touch transduction occurs. When the transduction forces are great then an earthquake is the result.

Maybe the purpose of an earthquake is to keep us humble. Maybe God doesn't like people getting too hubristic in their attitudes.



 

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