Earthquakes happen when the ground moves suddenly. Imagine two giant puzzle pieces that are stuck together, they’re called plates. When one piece slips, it shakes everything around it like a big jolt in a game of Twister.
The Big Sliding Puzzle
The Earth’s crust is divided into large pieces called tectonic plates, and they move very slowly over time. Sometimes, these plates get stuck at the edges, places we call fault lines. When the pressure becomes too much, one plate slips suddenly, causing an earthquake.
Examples
- The ground shakes when two large puzzle pieces slip past each other, like turning a corner in a game of Twister.
- Sometimes, the Earth feels like it's being squeezed until it suddenly pops, just like a big rubber band snapping.
- A strong earthquake can make buildings wobble and roads crack, as if the ground itself is jumping around.
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See also
- How Do Earthquakes Happen Underground?
- How Are Mountains Formed?
- How Do Earthquakes Affect Volcanoes?
- How Do Earthquakes Affect the Shape of the Land?
- How Are Mountains Formed Over Time?
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