Physics
What drives tremors beneath our feet?
Quick fact
Most earthquakes occur when tectonic plates suddenly release built-up stress.
Why this is interesting
A landscape that appears completely stable can suddenly move because of invisible forces beneath the ground.
Read the full explanation
Understanding What drives tremors beneath our feet?
As tectonic plates move, they can become locked together. Pressure builds until the rocks break or shift, releasing energy as seismic waves.
A deeper explanation
Earthquakes reveal that Earth's surface is constantly changing. The study of earthquakes connects plate tectonics, physics, geology, and human geography because their impacts depend not only on the natural event but also where and how people build societies.