Self Check: Causes and Location of Earthquakes

Check Your Understanding

Which of the following statement is the most accurate?

  • Earthquakes are caused when stresses on rocks are too great and the rock breaks, typically along fault lines or plate boundaries.
  • Earthquakes are caused when water or oil penetrate into the subsurface and cause a lubricating effect. This causes the rocks to slip.
  • Earthquakes are caused by an increase in magma pushing its way through transform boundaries
Show Answer

Earthquakes are caused when stresses on rocks are too great and the rock breaks, typically along fault lines or plate boundaries.