Why do earthquakes happen along plate boundaries so often?
Quick Answer
Most earthquakes cluster at plate boundaries because moving tectonic plates lock, build stress, and then suddenly slip. That sudden release of energy sends seismic waves through the ground.
The Full Story
Earth’s lithosphere is broken into tectonic plates that move a few centimeters per year. Where plates meet, friction can lock faults, allowing stress to accumulate for years or even centuries. When the stress exceeds the strength of the rocks, the fault slips abruptly and an earthquake occurs. Famous boundary zones include the San Andreas Fault in California, the Japan Trench, and the Himalayas, where the Indian Plate continues to collide with Eurasia.
Key Facts
YouTube Angle
Suggested video title for this topic:
"Earth’s crust is constantly stuck and slipping — that’s earthquake science in one minute."
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